ABSTRACT
Despite the importance of understanding the epidemiology of agents responsible for infectious diarrhea in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) population, the number of articles about this subject is relatively few. The current article summarizes published data on bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic enteropathogens in the HIV/AIDS seropositive subjects in different countries, regions and localities. In general, there is a great difference in the frequencies of etiological agents due to factors which include immune status, geographical location, climate and socioeconomic conditions. It is important to stress that a great prevalence of infection by emergent agents has been reported in the more advanced stages of AIDS. Therefore, to establish specific treatment depends directly on knowledge of these agents and risk factors associated to their distribution. Moreover, the colonization by potential pathogenic agents verified in these individuals is high thus implicating that they act as carriers. Finally, public health measures of control and prevention must take into consideration the regional previously identified enteropathogens, especially in areas where HIV prevalence is high.
Subject(s)
Diarrhea/microbiology , Diarrhea/parasitology , HIV Infections , HIV-1 , Animals , Diarrhea/epidemiology , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Humans , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Despite the importance of understanding the epidemiology of agents responsible for infectious diarrhea in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) population, the number of articles about this subject is relatively few. The current article summarizes published data on bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic enteropathogens in the HIV/AIDS seropositive subjects in different countries, regions and localities. In general, there is a great difference in the frequencies of etiological agents due to factors which include immune status, geographical location, climate and socioeconomic conditions. It is important to stress that a great prevalence of infection by emergent agents has been reported in the more advanced stages of AIDS. Therefore, to establish specific treatment depends directly on knowledge of these agents and risk factors associated to their distribution. Moreover, the colonization by potential pathogenic agents verified in these individuals is high thus implicating that they act as carriers. Finally, public health measures of control and prevention must take into consideration the regional previously identified enteropathogens, especially in areas where HIV prevalence is high.
Muito embora a importância do conhecimento sobre a epidemiologia dos agentes responsáveis pela diarréia infecciosa nos portadores do vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) e/ou doentes pela síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (SIDA), o número de artigos científicos sobre o tema é relativamente pequeno. Este artigo resume os dados já publicados sobre os enteropatógenos bacterianos, fúngicos, virais e parasitários que acometem os indivíduos soropositivos para o HIV e/ou doentes pela SIDA em diferentes países, regiões e localidades. Em geral, existe uma grande diferença nas freqüências dos agentes etiológicos, devido a fatores que incluem status imunológico, localização geográfica, clima e condições socioeconômicas. Ressalta-se, que é grande a prevalência de infecção por agentes emergentes nos estágios mais avançados da SIDA. Portanto, o estabelecimento de tratamento específico depende diretamente do conhecimento desses agentes bem como dos fatores de risco associados à sua distribuição. Ademais, a colonização por patógenos em potencial nesses indivíduos é elevada o que determina o estado de portadores assintomáticos. Por fim, medidas em saúde pública relativas ao controle e prevenção da diarréia nessa população devem considerar os enteropatógenos de importância regional, especialmente em áreas onde a prevalência do HIV é elevada.
