Subjects in this cohort had severe immunosuppression. The prevalence of pathogens, including Cryptosporidium, was extremely high but did not differ significantly between the case patients with diarrhea and the control subjects without diarrhea. Further studies are needed to examine factors associated with Cryptosporidium carriage and the natural history of asymptomatic infection.

The HIV epidemic in Cambodia is one of the most extensive in Asia. Meningitis accounts for a substantial proportion of HIV-related morbidity and mortality in Cambodia. A retrospective chart review was performed to identify the clinical and spinal fluid characteristics of patients undergoing spinal tap at an AIDS referral hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia during a 16-month period. Of 932 charts reviewed, 89 met criteria for analysis. Overall mortality was 49.4%. Cryptococcus was the most commonly identified pathogen (83%), followed by mycobacteria (8%). No pathogen was identified in 9% of charts reviewed. In hospital mortality was similar in all groups.