Treatment of Chronic Cryptosporidiosis in AIDS Patients

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES (NIAID) · Aug 30, 2001

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Cryptosporidium parvum, an intracellular protozoan parasite, is a frequent cause of chronic diarrhea in HIV-infected patients, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Highly effective antiparasitic treatment for this infection is not currently available. Paromomycin and azithromycin have some efficacy and have been used in combination in a small number of patients. Immune reconstitution with highly active antiretroviral therapy appears to be the most effective therapy, but this is not possible for all patients. Interferon gamma expression is strongly associated with control of cryptosp...

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Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria
• Patients may be eligible for this study if they:
• • Are HIV-positive.
• • Have a CD4 cell count below 150 cells/mm3.
• • Have been on stable anti-HIV therapy that includes at least 2 nucleoside analogues for at least 4 weeks.
• • Have chronic diarrhea (3 bowel movements a day that are loose or watery, for 5 days per week over 3 weeks).
• • Test positively for Cryptosporidium.
• • Are at least 18 years old.
• • Agree to use effective methods of birth control.
• • Exclusion Criteria
• Patients will not be eligible for this study if they:
• • Have any other active opportunistic (AIDS-related) infection.
• • Require intravenous (IV) fluids.
• • Have a history of an allergy to certain medications, such as colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF or GM-CSF) or a type of antibiotic.
• • Are pregnant.