Infectious colitides in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Diarrhea is a common problem in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and infections of the colon constitute a significant etiology. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common opportunistic infection of the colon in patients with AIDS, and it can involve any portion of the colon and the gastrointestinal tract. Because CMV is potentially treatable with either ganciclovir or foscarnet, it is important to evaluate endoscopically the entire colon of patients with AIDS with protracted diarrhea and no cause identifiable with routine stool and laboratory tests. In addition to CMV, there are a variety of other viral, bacterial, protozoal, and fungal infections seen in patients with AIDS. A thorough evaluation will help identify these pathogens, and those that are treatable can be given appropriate therapy.