TABLE 2.
Clinical characteristics associated with weight loss of ≥10% of body weight among patients with microsporidiosis
| Clinical characteristic | Wt loss of ≥10% of body wt after 6 mo (n = 10) | Wt loss of <10% of body wt after 6 mo (n = 33) |
|---|---|---|
| Mean no. of stool specimens submitted after diagnosis (SE) | 3.3 (±0.9) | 0.9 (±0.2)c |
| Diarrhea after 6 mo of follow-up | 66.7% | 51.5% |
| CD4 cell count of ≤50 cells/dl | 87.5% | 53.6% |
| Median viral load | 15,214 | 28,198 |
| History of opportunistic process | 40.0% | 34.4% |
| ARVa use at diagnosis | 30.0% | 66.7%c |
| ARV use after diagnosis | 60.0% | 84.8% |
| PIb use after diagnosis | 30.0% | 39.4% |
| Albendazole use at diagnosis | 10.5% | 9.1% |
| Antidiarrheal use at diagnosis | 80.0% | 60.6% |
| Narcotic use at diagnosis (probable use, diarrhea) | 30.0% | 6.1% |
| Narcotic use at diagnosis (probable use, pain) | 30.0% | 18.2% |
a
ARV, antiretroviral therapy (includes protease inhibitor and non-protease inhibitor regimens).
b
PI, protease inhibitor therapy.
c
Statistically significantly different from the values for weight loss of ≥10% (P < 0.05 by Fisher’s exact test or by analysis of variance).