Final answer:
c) Giardia lamblia Chronic diarrhea in AIDS patients is most commonly caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia, which can lead to severe diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chronic diarrhea in patients with AIDS is most commonly caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia. This intestinal parasite causes severe diarrhea and is a significant concern for immunocompromised individuals, including those with AIDS. Though Clostridium difficile is a notable cause of nosocomial infections and antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and other pathogens like Candida albicans and Salmonella typhi can cause infections, Giardia lamblia is well-documented in causing long-standing diarrheal disease in AIDS patients.
Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing this condition, which often involves a combination of managing symptoms and directly targeting the pathogen with appropriate therapy.Chronic diarrhea in patients with AIDS is most commonly caused by Clostridium difficile, which is a gram-positive rod bacteria. When the normal microbiota is disrupted by long-term antibiotic use, it can allow the overgrowth of this bacterium, resulting in antibiotic-associated diarrhea caused by C. difficile.