Classifications of diarrheal diseases Because the symptom of diarrhea has such a broad differential diagnosis, it is useful to classify the type of diarrhea to restrict the differential diagnosis to a more manageable number of conditions. Three helpful classification schemes include: Acute versus chronic (4 weeks or longer) Epidemiologic criteria (traveler’s, epidemic or outbreak, acquired …
What pathologic processes can cause diarrhea? Excessive stool water is due to the presence of some solute that osmotically obligates water retention within the lumen. This solute can be some poorly absorbed, osmotically active substance, such as magnesium ions, or can be an accumulation of ordinary electrolytes, such as sodium or potassium, that normally are …
What is the basic mechanism of all diarrheal diseases? Diarrhea is due to the incomplete absorption of fluid from luminal contents. Normal stools are approximately 75% water and 25% solids. Normal fecal water output is approximately 60 to 80 mL per day. An increase of fecal water output of 50 to 100 mL is sufficient …
Chronic diarrhea Diarrhea is defined as an increase in the frequency and fluidity of stools. For most patients, diarrhea means the passage of loose stools. Although loose stools are often accompanied by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, most patients do not classify frequent passage of formed stools as diarrhea. Because stool consistency is difficult to …
What are the GI manifestations of KS in AIDS? KS is a vascular neoplasm caused by HSV-8, which is fairly prevalent in HIV infection, predominantly in homosexual men. HIV-infected patients are prone to develop KS at any stage of the disease. GI tract involvement occurs in up to 40% of patients. However, most cases of …
How is the natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection altered in patients with AIDS? HCV is common in HIV-infected patients given the similar routes of exposure. In the normal host, progression from infection to cirrhosis takes several decades. A number of studies now suggest that the progression rate is markedly accelerated in patients …
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When to initiate hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapy in the setting of HIV? HBV-HIV coinfection represents a significant problem in HIV care. As HAART has improved the prognosis in HIV and AIDS, significant increases in morbidity and mortality resulting from liver disease have been observed. HBV and HIV are acquired by similar mechanisms and thus …