Immunopathophysiology of gastrointestinal disease in HIV infection.

In summary, gastrointestinal manifestations are a major complication of HIV infection. These manifestations present clinically as early, intermediate, and late-phase enteric illness due to HIV itself or the acquisition of opportunistic infections and neoplasms. HIV-induced defects in lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes, which circulate through and populate the gastrointestinal mucosa, and a sequence of HIV-dependent alterations in mucosal integrity represent the fundamental immunopathophysiologic basis for these clinical manifestations.