Which organisms are primarily responsible for diarrhea in AIDS patients?

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In AIDS patients, the primary organisms responsible for diarrhea are Isospora belli and Cryptosporidium parvum. Both of these pathogens are opportunistic infections that commonly affect immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS.

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan that can lead to significant watery diarrhea, and its persistence in immunocompromised hosts can cause dehydration and further complications. The organism is transmitted through contaminated water or food, and is particularly notorious for causing outbreaks, especially in settings where water sanitation is inadequate.

Isospora belli, another protozoan, also leads to chronic diarrhea in patients with AIDS. It causes watery diarrhea and can contribute to weight loss and malnutrition in these vulnerable patients. The infection is typically associated with a CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³, reflecting the degree of immunosuppression.

Yersinia species and E. coli O157:H7 generally do not have a strong association with opportunistic infections in AIDS. Yersinia can cause gastrointestinal illness but is not specifically linked to AIDS-related diarrhea. E. coli O157:H7 is primarily associated with foodborne outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome rather than being an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients.

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