Esophageal ulcers in AIDS.

Thirty five esophageal biopsies from AIDS patients with clinical symptoms of esophagitis sent to "Emilio Ribas Institute", Pathology Laboratory, in a 2 year period were revised for possible infectious agents. Microorganisms were seen in 17 cases (48.6%). In 6 cases (17.1%), Acid-Fast bacilli were observed. One of these cases also had characteristic cytomegalic inclusions in endothelial cells. Inflammatory responses were composed of lymphocytes, some plasma cells and many histiocytes, with absence of giant cells in 4 cases of mycobacteriosis; in the other 2 cases, acid-fast bacilli were seen over the epithelium. Exclusive infection by cytomegalovirus was detected in 5 cases (14.3%), and candidiasis in 5 cases (14.3%). In one case there was association of cytomegalovirus and candidiasis. Esophageal ulcers in AIDS patients caused by Mycobacterium sp, may be more common than previously reported, and certainly an overlooked diagnosis. Once esophageal biopsy is an easy diagnostic procedure, this method may be used in routine screening for tuberculosis in patients with AIDS.