Cryptosporidiosis of the biliary tract in AIDS

Article Abstract:

Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic infection that can cause severe diarrhea. It is increasingly being seen in AIDS patients. Although it usually involves the gastrointestinal system, infection can occur in the biliary tract. This can lead to cholangitis (inflammation of the bile duct) and cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder). Infection of the biliary tract by this parasite is very rare. A retrospective study was conducted to determine whether this parasite was responsible for the biliary tract infections found in a group of 13 AIDS patients. Ultrasound (US), a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves, and computed tomography (CT), which uses a computer to generate images from data obtained by X-ray scanning, were used to characterize biliary tract disease in 10 of the 13 AIDS patients. The presence of Cryptosporidium was confirmed by taking samples from the patients. Both imaging techniques revealed dilated bile ducts in all but two patients. Gallbladder thickening was detected in seven patients. Cryptosporidium organisms were found in the gallbladders of three patients and the biliary ducts of seven patients. These results indicate that Cryptosporidium may be a major infective agent of the biliary tract of AIDS patients. US and CT findings can be useful in diagnosing such infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, CT imaging, CAT scans, Coccidia, Cryptosporidium, Cryptosporidiosis

---

Multifocal cytomegalovirus-associated hepatic lesions simulating metastases in AIDS

Article Abstract:

Lesions, or areas of abnormal tissue, in the liver that appear on images produced by ultrasonography (US) or computed tomography (CT) may result from several causes. If there are many such lesions in the same focal (central) area, the cause is usually cancer, fatty infiltration, or hemangioma (tumor-like masses of blood vessels). The case is presented of an AIDS patient who was discovered to have such lesions on his liver as seen on both US and CT scans. The patient was also suffering from cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, a common infection in AIDS patients. The lesions were thought to be either caused by cancer or hemangioma. Fatty infiltration was not considered because no known risk factors for this could be discovered in the patient. However, fatty infiltration was diagnosed upon examination of the liver after the patient died. CMV hepatitis was also found. CMV hepatitis has not been highly associated with AIDS and fatty infiltration of the liver has not been previously reported to be caused by CMV hepatitis. This is only a single case report, so no conclusions can be drawn, but it does present interesting observations that should be researched further. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Causes of, Liver diseases, Diseases, Fatty liver, AIDS patients, Cytomegalovirus infections

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Abdominal lymphoma in AIDS: evaluation with US. Acquired disruptions of the incudostapedial articulation: diagnosis with CT
• Abstracts: Metabolic imaging of patients with intracranial tumors: H-1 MR spectroscopic imaging and PET
• Abstracts: Coronary artery calcifications: significance of incidental detection on CT scans. Bacterial renal infection: role of CT
• Abstracts: Acquired malposition of the colon and gallbladder in patients with cirrhosis: CT findings and clinical implications

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.