KINETICS OF D-XYLOSE ABSORPTION IN PATIENTS WITH HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS ENTEROPATHY

D-Xylose absorption was studied in 12 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or advanced AIDS-related complex who had had diarrhea for more than 8 weeks, averaged an 11% (range, 3% to 21%) body weight loss during the previous 6 months, and had had negative stool examinations for enteric pathogens. Patients were evaluated by duodenal aspiration and biopsy and received both 25 gm oral and 10 gm intravenous doses of D-xylose. Kinetic analysis of D-xylose absorption was characterized by an absorption rate constant (k(a)) and a rate constant (k(o)) reflecting nonabsorptive loss. Extent of D-xylose absorption averaged 18.4% +/- 9.3% (+/- SD) in the 12 patients (normal > 60%). Percentage of weight loss during the previous 6 months was negatively correlated with k(a) (r = -0.69; p = 0.018) in the 11 patients in whom this parameter was reduced but was not correlated with either k(o) or extent of D-xylose absorption. In these patients with human immunodeficiency virus enteropathy, k(a) was reduced out of proportion to the minor histologic changes present in the duodenal biopsy specimens.