Small-intestinal brushing cytology in the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis in AIDS.

We report the cytologic findings of small intestinal brushing material showing cryptosporidiosis in two patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Cryptosporidia measuring approximately 2-4 mu were aligned along the surface of the glandular cells, although many freely dispersed organisms were also present. The differential diagnoses of other structures that could be confused with cryptosporidia are also presented in this article. Small-intestinal brushing cytology may complement endoscopic biopsy in the workup of diarrheal diseases in AIDS, especially in patients with thrombocytopenia, since the bleeding disorder may be a contraindication for endoscopic biopsy.