Which disease is characterized by fever, watery diarrhea, and abdominal pain in AIDS patients?

Which disease is characterized by fever, watery diarrhea, and abdominal pain in AIDS patients?

• A. Cryptosporidium parvum
• B. Kaposi sarcoma
• C. Acute intermittent porphyria
• D. HIV encephalopathy

Answer: (A)

The disease characterized by fever, watery diarrhea, and abdominal pain in AIDS patients is indeed caused by Cryptosporidium parvum. This organism is a protozoan parasite that often causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with HIV/AIDS. In people with AIDS, Cryptosporidium infection can lead to severe and persistent diarrhea, which can be life-threatening due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The watery nature of the diarrhea is particularly notable, and abdominal pain is commonly reported alongside the gastrointestinal symptoms. In contrast, the other options listed do not specifically present with these gastrointestinal symptoms. Kaposi sarcoma primarily manifests as skin lesions or systemic issues related to cancer, acute intermittent porphyria involves neurological and abdominal pain but does not typically present with diarrhea, and HIV encephalopathy is characterized by neurocognitive deficits rather than gastrointestinal disturbances. This makes Cryptosporidium parvum the correct choice for the symptoms described in the question.

The disease characterized by fever, watery diarrhea, and abdominal pain in AIDS patients is indeed caused by Cryptosporidium parvum. This organism is a protozoan parasite that often causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with HIV/AIDS.

In people with AIDS, Cryptosporidium infection can lead to severe and persistent diarrhea, which can be life-threatening due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The watery nature of the diarrhea is particularly notable, and abdominal pain is commonly reported alongside the gastrointestinal symptoms.

In contrast, the other options listed do not specifically present with these gastrointestinal symptoms. Kaposi sarcoma primarily manifests as skin lesions or systemic issues related to cancer, acute intermittent porphyria involves neurological and abdominal pain but does not typically present with diarrhea, and HIV encephalopathy is characterized by neurocognitive deficits rather than gastrointestinal disturbances. This makes Cryptosporidium parvum the correct choice for the symptoms described in the question.