Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an important risk factor for moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD), and children with MSD should be screened for HIV, a recent study suggests. The Global Enteric Multicenter study enrolled children aged 0-59 months with MSD and less severe diarrhea (LSD) between December 2007 and November 2012. 1 to 3 controls for MSD cases and 1 per LSD case were enrolled and matched by age, sex, and neighborhood. All children were tested for HIV. Researchers collected clinical, anthropometric data and stools and performed a follow-up at 60 days. They found:

• 214 MSD cases and 418 controls, along with 349 LSD cases and 214 controls, were tested.
• HIV prevalence among MSD cases was 25% and 6% among LSD cases.
• Children with HIV were more likely to have MSD.
• Mortality rates were higher among children with HIV compared with those uninfected.