Eosinophilic oesophagitis: an unsuspected aetiology for dysphagia in an HIV-positive patient

Abstract

Patients with HIV/AIDS are often afflicted with oesophageal disorders. Opportunistic infections such as candidiasis, herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus, mycobacterial infections, Kaposi sarcoma or lymphoma involving the oesophagus, motility disorders and reflux oesophagitis are the usual culprits. Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EE), a recently recognized entity, is an important cause of dysphagia, food impaction and chest discomfort. We report the case of an HIV-infected man who had persistent dysphagia for six months despite treatment with proton pump inhibitor. He was diagnosed with EE after having endoscopic evaluation and biopsy of his oesophagus and was successfully treated with swallowed fluticasone. This case represents the first reported case of EE in an HIV-infected individual.