Cryptosporidiosis. Case report in a health team worker.

Cryptosporidium is a coccidial protozoan of the intestinal tract; cryptosporidiosis in veterinarians has been reported as a cause of diarrhea. It has also been reported as a cause of diarrhea in marrow transplant recipients. Cryptosporidiosis has gained attention recently because of its occurrence in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Bacteremia and fungemia in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Forty-nine episodes of bacteremia and fungemia occurred in 38 of 336 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome seen at our institution since 1980. There were five types of infections. Infections commonly associated with a T-cell immunodeficiency disorder comprised 16 episodes and included those with Salmonella species, Listeria monocytogenes, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Histoplasma capsulatum.

Bacterial pneumonia in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Eighteen episodes of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia were diagnosed in 13 patients among 336 with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cared for at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center since 1979. Bacterial pathogens isolated in 16 of 18 episodes were Haemophilus influenzae in 8, Streptococcus pneumoniae in 6, group B streptococcus in 1, and Branhamella catarrhalis in 1. Eight episodes were presumed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia until cultures obtained at bronchoscopy confirmed a bacterial cause.

Treatment of infections in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

The microorganisms that regularly infect patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have become well recognized. Most take advantage of defects in T-lymphocyte function, but others, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, take advantage of B-cell defects. Still others, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella species, occur or persist for reasons that are unclear.