Intestinal tuberculosis as a cause of chronic diarrhoea among patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection: Report of two cases

In Western countries human immunodeficiency virus infection is considered the main risk factor of tuberculous disease, its incidence being 500 times higher in HIV-infected patients than in the general population. Despite the disease frequently present in these patients with extraintestinal manifestations, intestinal localization is rarely observed and often as a consequence of complications such as acute gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation. The diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis is difficult and is often delayed due to the lack of specific signs and symptoms as well as the low sensitivity of routine methods. A review of the literature is made and personal experience in the diagnosis of two cases is reported.