Question

A 46-year-old woman with HIV complains severe persistent diarrhea, Histological Investigation was performed, Identify the organism causing diarrhea in HIV Patient.

• A. Cryptosporidium
• B. Staphylococcus aureus
• C. Salmonella
• D. Clostridium botulinum

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The patient is a 46-year-old woman with HIV experiencing severe persistent diarrhea, which often occurs in individuals with compromised immune systems due to the infection's progression. In HIV patients, opportunistic infections are common, particularly those affecting the gastrointestinal tract.

Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite, is known for causing chronic and severe diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS. The organism infects the intestinal epithelium, leading to diarrhea that can be severe and persist if the immune system is weakened.

Other listed organisms, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and Clostridium botulinum, do cause gastrointestinal symptoms under certain conditions but are less likely to cause the described symptoms in this specific patient population:

• Staphylococcus aureus typically causes food poisoning with less chronic diarrhea.
• Salmonella can cause gastroenteritis but is not specifically associated with opportunistic infections in HIV patients.
• Clostridium botulinum primarily causes botulism, a condition marked by neurological symptoms, not diarrhea.

Therefore, the organism causing diarrhea in this HIV patient is Cryptosporidium.