English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis is often more difficult to diagnose and more complicated to treat among people who are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive. This study was conducted to assess the clinical, microbiological, laboratory and radiological spectrum of tuberculosis (TB) in HIV seropositive patients, and explore its possible correlation with their CD4 count. METHODS A total of 104 patients who were western blot positive for HIV and co-infected with tuberculosis were studied in Salem district of Tamil Nadu. A detailed history was obtained and patients were examined clinically. CD4 count, sputum smear for acid fast bacilli (AFB), chest x-ray, and tuberculin test, were done along with other relevant investigations. The relationship between CD4 count, and the type of tuberculosis, sputum smear, chest x-ray, and tuberculin test, were analysed statistically, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Most of the patients were between 30 to 39 years. Males (84.6 %) outnumbered females (15.4 %). Pulmonary tuberculosis alone was seen in 47 patients, while extra pulmonary tuberculosis in 36 cases, and both pulmonary and extra pulmonary occurred in 21 cases. They had a mean CD4 count of 237.7 cells / μL, 135.2 cells / μL and 120.9 cells / μL respectively. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis and combined forms were associated with lower CD4 counts (P-value 0.005). The mean CD4 count of sputum positive, sputum negative, and multiple drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis were 294.2, 168.3 and 90.2 cells / μL respectively. Lower CD4 count was associated with sputum - ve TB (P < 0.041). Lower CD4 counts were associated with atypical chest X-ray findings (P < 0.006) and negative tuberculin test (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Sputum smear positivity for AFB decreases as CD4 count reduces. Involvement of lungs tend to be atypical in immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis of TB in HIV positive individuals is complex and a high index of suspicion is needed. KEYWORDS HIV, Tuberculosis, CD4 Cell Count, Sputum Smear for AFB, Chest X-Ray