Isospora belli infection in an AIDS patient
Franzen, C.; Fätkenheuer, G.; Salzberger, B.; Ziegenhagen, D.; Seitz, H.M.; Diehl, V.; Schrappe, M.
Medizinische Klinik 88(5): 330-332
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0723-5003 PMID: 8326922 Document Number: 420468
A 38-year-old Brazilian male immigrant residing in Koln, Germany and known to be HIV positive since April 1991, presented in January 1992 with Kaposi's sarcoma and diarrhoea. Faecal tests for parasites were negative but duodenal and bile samples contained I. belli oocysts. 2 weeks later oocysts were also recorded in the faeces. A 10-day treatment with trimethoprim plus sulfamethoxazole at, respectively, 800 and 160 mg/day given orally in 4 doses, rapidly controlled the diarrhoea. Follow-on preventive medication at the above dosage taken every 2nd day had to be discontinued due to poor tolerance and the infection and diarrhoea recurred within a few days. A final cure was achieved by a second 10- day treatment course followed by the reduced dosage, which was then better tolerated.