BACKGROUND: HIV infection causes progressive immune defense system dysfunction, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphological changes in the upper-GI tract mucosa in HIV-infected patients in relation to the degree of immunodeficiency, presence of H. pylori, fungal colonization, and antiretroviral treatment (HAART). MATERIAL/METHODS: One hundred forty-six patients (94 HIV positive, 52 HIV negative) with dyspeptic symptoms were evaluated by upper GI endoscopy and biopsy. The HIV-infected were divided into two groups: 47 patients with CD4+ count >200/mm(3) and 47 with severe immunodeficiency (CD4+ count

Keywords: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active, Case-Control Studies, Demography, Dyspepsia - physiopathology, Endoscopy, Digestive System, Esophagus - microbiology, Gastric Mucosa - pathology, HIV Seropositivity - microbiology, Helicobacter Infections - complications, Helicobacter pylori - isolation & purification