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. 1995 Mar;33(3):745–747. doi: 10.1128/jcm.33.3.745-747.1995

Culture of intestinal biopsy specimens and stool culture for detection of bacterial enteropathogens in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. The Berlin Diarrhea/Wasting Syndrome Study Group.

O Liesenfeld 1, T Schneider 1, W Schmidt 1, J Sandforth 1, T Weinke 1, M Zeitz 1, E O Riecken 1, R Ullrich 1
PMCID: PMC228027  PMID: 7751389

Abstract

The diagnostic yields of stool cultures and biopsy specimens for the detection of enteric bacterial pathogens in 213 human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients were compared. Forty-five percent (19 of 42) of the pathogens were detected exclusively by stool culture, 2% (1 of 42) of the isolates were detected exclusively by culture of biopsy specimens, and 53% (22 of 42) were detected by both methods. Repeated stool cultures remain the most important means of diagnosing enteric bacterial pathogens, which were encountered in 20% (40 of 213) of all patients. The additional culture of biopsy specimens should be reserved for patients with suspected mycobacteriosis.

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Selected References

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