Idiopathic Terminal Ileal Ulceration Mimicking Crohn's in the Setting of Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation

Abstract

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has precipitously decreased the morbidity associated with human immunodeficiency virus but can unmask and exacerbate opportunistic infections and autoimmune diseases. Various diseases have been reported in association with ART initiation, but there is scant literature describing inflammatory colitis in the setting of ART initiation. We present a 39-year-old man with chronic untreated human immunodeficiency virus and central nervous system toxoplasmosis who developed persistent diarrhea after initiation of ART. A comprehensive infectious workup was negative. Computed tomography demonstrated terminal ileum enteritis, which was confirmed by colonoscopy. Biopsy of the terminal ileum revealed fibrinous exudate and granulation tissue.