Infectious diarrhea in human immunodeficiency virus

Chronic diarrhea is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In most cases, a pathogen can be identified by stool examination or by endoscopy when stool tests are negative. In this article, the authors review the etiology and diagnostic evaluation of chronic diarrhea in HIV associated diarrhea in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In this patient population, the introduction of HAART has been associated with a decrease in the incidence of opportunistic pathogens, better response rates to empiric and pathogen-specific therapy, and prolonged survival. Finally, the authors highlight some of the newer therapeutic agents for the treatment of chronic HIV-associated diarrhea.