[HIV infection and the lower gastrointestinal tract--characteristics of endoscopic diagnosis].

Abstract

In the course of HIV infection intestinal complaints, particularly diarrhoea, are frequent. As a result of the HIV-induced immunosuppression infections with unusual viral, mycobacterial and protozoan pathogens occur. In addition usually self-limiting intestinal infections become frequently persistent in HIV-positive patients with advanced cellular immunodeficiency. Intestinal manifestation of HIV-associated neoplasm is not rare. In combination with microbiological examination of stool specimen endoscopy of the lower gastrointestinal tract is a valuable diagnostic method, especially for the diagnosis of viral infections and neoplasm.