In previous studies, patients with cryptosporidiosis demonstrated dramatic improvement with paromomycin therapy.

Patients are randomized to receive either placebo or paromomycin for 3 weeks. After the initial double-blind phase, all patients receive open-label paromomycin for 3 weeks. Following 6 weeks of therapy, patients who do not achieve a complete response receive a higher dose of paromomycin for an additional 3 weeks, while complete responders continue receiving the original dose for an additional 3 weeks. Complete or partial responders after 9 weeks may receive 16 additional weeks of optional maintenance therapy at the dose at which their response was achieved. Treatment continues for up to 25 weeks total. Patients are followed at weeks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9, and then at 2-4 week intervals.

Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

• Antiretroviral therapy.
• Macrolides for disseminated Mycobacterium avium.
• Atovaquone for toxoplasmosis.
• Other antimicrobials for concurrent infections.
• Lomotil, Imodium, or deodorized opium tincture in a standardized regimen for diarrhea.

Patients must have:

• Advanced HIV disease.
• Diarrhea presumptively caused by Cryptosporidia.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

• Hypersensitivity to aminoglycosides.
• Inability to swallow capsules.
• Active infection due to other enteric pathogens. Previous diagnosis of CMV or MAC infection permitted if patient is currently stabilized on a therapeutic regimen (clarithromycin up to 500 mg bid or azithromycin up to 600 mg daily).
• Other known causes for diarrhea (e.g., malabsorption syndrome, gastrointestinal Kaposi's sarcoma).

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded during the first 9 weeks of study:

• Agents with putative anticryptosporidial activity (such as spiramycin, diclazuril, letrazuril, or bovine colostrum).
• Octreotide acetate (Sandostatin).
• Antidiarrheals other than those specifically allowed.
• Clarithromycin if initiated at 500 mg or higher or azithromycin if initiated at 600 mg or higher.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

• Paromomycin at > 1 g/day for >= 14 days prior to study entry.

Excluded within 14 days prior to study entry:

• Agents with putative anticryptosporidial activity (such as spiramycin, diclazuril, letrazuril, or bovine colostrum), with the exception of macrolides that are permitted for other indications.
• Octreotide acetate (Sandostatin).