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Last updated: August 24, 2025View editorial policy

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Differential Diagnosis for Uncontrolled HIV with Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • HIV-related opportunistic infection: Given the patient's uncontrolled HIV status, an opportunistic infection such as cryptosporidiosis or microsporidiosis is highly likely. These infections are common in immunocompromised individuals and can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Medication side effects: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) or other medications can cause gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
  • Gastroenteritis: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic gastroenteritis can cause similar symptoms and is a common condition in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals.
  • HIV enteropathy: A condition characterized by chronic diarrhea and malabsorption in HIV-infected individuals, often due to the direct effects of the virus on the gut.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • CMV colitis: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can cause severe colitis in immunocompromised individuals, leading to life-threatening complications if left untreated.
  • Toxoplasmosis: Although more commonly associated with neurological symptoms, toxoplasmosis can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Kaposi's sarcoma: A type of cancer that can affect the gastrointestinal tract and cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Whipple's disease: A rare bacterial infection that can cause malabsorption, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, often in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Intestinal lymphoma: A type of cancer that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss, in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection: A rare opportunistic infection that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss, in immunocompromised individuals.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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