[Intestinal absorption of D-xylose in children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus].

Abstract

AIM:

To evaluate the intestinal absorption in HIV-infected children children 14 months to 14 years and to investigate its relationship to diarrhea, nutritional status, immune dysfunction, classical enteric parasites and Cryptosporidium.

METHODS:

Intestinal absorption was investigated by measuring serum D-xylose. Fecal samples were investigated for classical pathogens and Cryptosporidium. The sample size was calculated considering a 30% prevalence of altered D-xylose absorption in HIV-infected children with a 5% accuracy. Statistical procedures used were: descriptive measurements, multiple correspondence analysis and logistic regression.

RESULTS:

D-xylose absorption was altered in only 8 out of 104 (7.7%) and Cryptosporidium was positive in 33 out of 104 (31.73%) HIV-infected children. The multiple correspondence analysis suggested an association between an altered D-xylose test and Cryptosporidium. D-xylose malabsorption was not associated with diarrhea, nutritional status, immune disfunction and classic enteric parasites.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intestinal malabsorption evaluated through the D-xylose test was an uncommon finding in HIV-infected children. Intestinal dysfunction when present seems to be related to Cryptosporidium, but not to diarrhea, nutritional status, immune disfunction and classic enteric parasites.

• Authors: N M Perin, M M Pires, S M Nassar
• Journal: Arquivos de gastroenterologia (Arq Gastroenterol) 2001 Oct-Dec Vol. 38 Issue 4 Pg. 261-8 ISSN: 0004-2803 [Print] Brazil
• Vernacular Title: Absorção intestinal de D-xilose em crianças infectadas pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana.
• PMID: 12068537 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Xylose

Topics

• Adolescent
• Animals
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Cryptosporidium (isolation & purification)
• Diarrhea (etiology)
• Female
• HIV Infections (complications, parasitology, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Infant
• Intestinal Absorption (physiology)
• Malabsorption Syndromes (diagnosis, etiology)
• Male
• Xylose