Study of clinical profile of tuberculosis in HIV infected patients with special reference to CD4 T cell count and its oral manifestation

Abstract

Aim: To study the clinical profile of tuberculosis in HIV infected patients and to compare the different clinical data with their CD4 counts with reference to oral health. Material Methods: Total 100 cases attending Department of Medicine /ART center at RIMS Ranchi were selected and their clinical profile was studied. The variations in clinical presentation with changing CD4 cell count were evaluated. Results: Most common presenting symptoms were fever (78%) cough (75%) and breathlessness (62%). Most common associated clinical oral findings were oral candidiasis (34%) and lymphadenopathy (33%). Among extra pulmonary tuberculosis lymphadenitis was the most common presentation (18%). Mean CD4 counts in patients with sputum positive TB was 226.71±52.895 and in sputum negative TB was 108.49±74.684 and in extra pulmonary tuberculosis was 138± 52.895. 85.7%. Sputum positive cases were seen with CD4 counts<50 cells/ micro/l. Conclusion: HIV and tuberculosis was closely linked. Most commonly presented with pulmonary involvement and high number of cases showed extrapulmonary involvement and oral manifestations. Hence proper screening is important for proper diagnosis.