Medical management of benign oesophageal disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Oesophageal diseases are common in human immunodeficiency virus infection, and Candida is the most frequent cause. Empiric therapy with oral antifungal therapy is cost-effective in most patients presenting with oesophageal symptoms. The "gold standard" of diagnosis, endoscopy with brushings and biopsies, is reserved for non-responders within 2 weeks. Since the use of empiric antifungal drugs, the percentage of viral and idiopathic ulcers has increased. The latter frequently recur after treatment, and have been associated with the development of oesophageal strictures. More information is needed on the role of maintenance therapy particularly for viral infections.