Opportunistic infections of the oesophagus in AIDS patients: clinical and therapeutic problems.

The gastrointestinal tract is frequently involved in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. One of the most common digestive manifestations is dysphagia/odynophagia which constitutes the presenting feature of the syndrome in a number of patients and occurs in many others during the subsequent phases of the illness. In the majority of cases it is due to an oesophageal infection by opportunistic pathogens (fungi or viruses or both) and may be successfully treated, at least temporarily, by specific antimicrobials. The present article examines the most recent acquisitions in terms of diagnosis and treatment of such common clinical problem.