Disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex presenting as hematochezia in an infant with rapidly progressive acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

A Rare Case of Disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Presenting as Proctitis

Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI) infections are common in Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients. MAI infection can have localized or disseminated presentation, patients with low CD4 count presenting with disseminated infection. Fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss are generally the presenting symptoms of disseminated MAI. We present a rare case of a patient with HIV and low CD4 count presenting with proctitis as manifestation of disseminated MAI infection. A 25 year-old-man with HIV came to the emergency room (ER) with complaints of intermittent rectal bleeding for two months. His CD4 count was less than 20 cells/µL. He was MSM (men having sex with men) and has receptive anal intercourse with men. His stool work-up was unrevealing for infectious etiology. Swabs for gonorrhea and chlamydia were negative. Colonoscopy revealed erythematous, congested, friable rectal mucosa with two superficial ulcers. Biopsies of the ulcer were positive for acid fast staining bacteria and the culture grew MAI. His blood culture was negative for growth of acid-fast bacteria (AFB). However, liver biopsy performed for elevated alkaline phosphatase of 958 units/L revealed noncaseating granuloma. Gastro-duodenoscopy with duodenal biopsy did not reveal any mucosal abnormality. He was managed as with disseminated MAI infection using clarithromycin, ethambutol, and rifabutin in addition to HAART therapy. Interval Colonoscopy in 20 months showed resolution of rectal ulcer. The gut is often involved in patients with disseminated MAI infection, with the duodenum being the most common site. MAI infection should be suspected as possible etiology for proctitis in HIV positive patient with low CD4 count, as proctitis, though infrequent can be the sole presentation for disseminated MAI infection in patients with HIV and low CD4 count.

Proctitis Caused by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare in an HIV-Infected Patient

Infectious proctitis is usually associated with sexually transmitted diseases, especially in HIV-infected individuals. Limited information is found about the role of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare as a causative agent for this condition. Here, we report the case of an HIV-infected patient with a CD4 count of 304 cells/uL and undetectable HIV viral load, who presented with constipation and painful defecation. Endoscopic evaluation was significant for shallow rectal ulcerations. Histopathology revealed poorly formed granulomas. Stool culture grew Mycobacterium sp. that was further identified as Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare by DNA probe. He was successfully treated with a 3-drug regimen that included azithromycin, ethambutol and rifabutin. We advocate the use of AFB stool culture in cases of proctitis in which initial investigations for sexually transmitted diseases are unrevealing.

Gastrointestinal bleeding in infancy and childhood

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is an alarming problem in children. Although many causes of GI bleeding are common to children and adults, the frequency of specific causes differs greatly, and some lesions, such as necrotizing enterocolitis or allergic colitis, are unique to children. This article reviews the spectrum of GI bleeding in infants and children. The causes, diagnostic evaluation, and management are discussed, and differences with adult medicine are highlighted.

Diagnosis and treatment of colonic disease in AIDS

The colon is a frequent site of gastrointestinal complications in patients with HIV infection, and these colonic disorders increase in frequency as immunodeficiency worsens. The most common clinical manifestations of colonic disease in AIDS are diarrhea, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and abdominal pain. Toxic megacolon, intussuseption, typhlitis, idiopathic colonic ulcer, and pneumatosis intestinalis also have been described. In the HIV-infected patient with preserved immunity, the most common cause of colitis is bacterial, but as the degree of immunodeficiency worsens, opportunistic pathogens (CMV, protozoa, mycobacteria, fungi) and neoplasms become more frequent. The frequent use of antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, and frequent hospitalization increase the susceptibility to cf2Clostridium difficule cf1colitis. Endoscopy plays an integral role in the management of many colonic disorders in AIDS.