Severe Isospora (Cystoisospora) belli Diarrhea Preceding the Diagnosis of Human T-Cell-Leukemia-Virus-1-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma

Isospora (Cystoisospora) belli diarrhea can sometimes be fulminant in immunocompromised patients. It is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas, and sporadic episodes have been reported in nonendemic areas in nursing homes, day-care centers, and psychiatric institutions. We describe isosporiasis i...

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Main Authors: N. Ud Din, P. Torka, R. E. Hutchison, S. W. Riddell, J. Wright, A. Gajra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/640104
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author N. Ud Din
P. Torka
R. E. Hutchison
S. W. Riddell
J. Wright
A. Gajra
author_facet N. Ud Din
P. Torka
R. E. Hutchison
S. W. Riddell
J. Wright
A. Gajra
author_sort N. Ud Din
collection DOAJ
description Isospora (Cystoisospora) belli diarrhea can sometimes be fulminant in immunocompromised patients. It is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas, and sporadic episodes have been reported in nonendemic areas in nursing homes, day-care centers, and psychiatric institutions. We describe isosporiasis in an HIV-negative Sudanese-American female who presented with a debilitating diarrheal illness and profound weight loss. Isospora belli was detected in her stool by modified acid-fast staining. Serologic testing was negative for HIV but positive for HTLV-1 infection. Treatment with TMP-SMZ led to improvement in her diarrhea which recurred after stopping antibiotics. Subsequently, she developed generalized lymphadenopathy which was diagnosed as ATLL on immunohistochemical staining. Chemotherapy was initiated, but her condition continued to worsen due to persistent diarrhea and resulting profound electrolyte abnormalities. The patient opted for comfort measures and died a few weeks later at a nursing facility. This case emphasizes that the detection of I. belli should trigger testing for HIV, HTLV-1, and other causes of immunocompromise. We suggest that treatment with TMP-SMZ should be initiated and continued for a prolonged period of time in immunocompromised patients with I. belli diarrhea.
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spelling doaj-art-158f35ef4801463d9335222ea60d55212025-02-03T01:03:27ZengWileyCase Reports in Infectious Diseases2090-66252090-66332012-01-01201210.1155/2012/640104640104Severe Isospora (Cystoisospora) belli Diarrhea Preceding the Diagnosis of Human T-Cell-Leukemia-Virus-1-Associated T-Cell LymphomaN. Ud Din0P. Torka1R. E. Hutchison2S. W. Riddell3J. Wright4A. Gajra5Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USADepartment of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USADepartment of Pathology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USADepartment of Pathology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USADepartment of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USADepartment of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USAIsospora (Cystoisospora) belli diarrhea can sometimes be fulminant in immunocompromised patients. It is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas, and sporadic episodes have been reported in nonendemic areas in nursing homes, day-care centers, and psychiatric institutions. We describe isosporiasis in an HIV-negative Sudanese-American female who presented with a debilitating diarrheal illness and profound weight loss. Isospora belli was detected in her stool by modified acid-fast staining. Serologic testing was negative for HIV but positive for HTLV-1 infection. Treatment with TMP-SMZ led to improvement in her diarrhea which recurred after stopping antibiotics. Subsequently, she developed generalized lymphadenopathy which was diagnosed as ATLL on immunohistochemical staining. Chemotherapy was initiated, but her condition continued to worsen due to persistent diarrhea and resulting profound electrolyte abnormalities. The patient opted for comfort measures and died a few weeks later at a nursing facility. This case emphasizes that the detection of I. belli should trigger testing for HIV, HTLV-1, and other causes of immunocompromise. We suggest that treatment with TMP-SMZ should be initiated and continued for a prolonged period of time in immunocompromised patients with I. belli diarrhea.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/640104
spellingShingle N. Ud Din
P. Torka
R. E. Hutchison
S. W. Riddell
J. Wright
A. Gajra
Severe Isospora (Cystoisospora) belli Diarrhea Preceding the Diagnosis of Human T-Cell-Leukemia-Virus-1-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
title Severe Isospora (Cystoisospora) belli Diarrhea Preceding the Diagnosis of Human T-Cell-Leukemia-Virus-1-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma
title_full Severe Isospora (Cystoisospora) belli Diarrhea Preceding the Diagnosis of Human T-Cell-Leukemia-Virus-1-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma
title_fullStr Severe Isospora (Cystoisospora) belli Diarrhea Preceding the Diagnosis of Human T-Cell-Leukemia-Virus-1-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma
title_full_unstemmed Severe Isospora (Cystoisospora) belli Diarrhea Preceding the Diagnosis of Human T-Cell-Leukemia-Virus-1-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma
title_short Severe Isospora (Cystoisospora) belli Diarrhea Preceding the Diagnosis of Human T-Cell-Leukemia-Virus-1-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma
title_sort severe isospora cystoisospora belli diarrhea preceding the diagnosis of human t cell leukemia virus 1 associated t cell lymphoma
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/640104
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