Detection of HIV in enterochromaffin cells in the rectal mucosa of an AIDS patient.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was detected by in situ hybridization in the bowel crypt and lamina propria in the rectal mucosa of an acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient. More infected cells were noted in the crypts than the lamina propria. The enterochromaffin cell was one cell type showing the presence of virus. HIV may play an important role in some gastrointestinal disorders in infected individuals.