Gastrointestinal infections in children

Etiological agents of diarrhea in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus-1: a review

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.

[Infections of the small intestine]

Les infections intestinales grêles sont, avec les infections coliques, les maladies les plus fréquentes au monde et particulièrement agressives, spécialement chez les jeunes enfants, où elles peuvent causer un nombre élevé de décès dus aux diarrhées. Elles sont causées par des agents pathogènes les plus divers et leurs aspects pathologiques et épidémiologiques comme leur incidence peuvent être différents d'une contrée à l'autre.

Dans cet article, nous traiterons des causes pes plus communes des infections grêles et décrirons leurs caractéristiques cliniques et leurs aspects histologiques. Les maladies infectieuses sont classées en deux catégories, aiguës et chroniques; le type d'infiltrat inflammatoire peut aider à poser un diagnostic correct.