Clinical and chest radiographic features of tuberculosis associated with human immunodeficiency virus in Zimbabwe.

Abstract

In the developing world, the diagnosis of tuberculosis is dependent on clinical and radiologic features as culture facilities are not readily available. It has been reported that tuberculosis in HIV-positive persons can present with atypical clinical and radiographic features. The object of this study was to examine how often atypical features occur in HIV-positive compared with HIV-negative persons and how these findings correspond to sputum-smear findings. Detailed demographic, clinical, and chest radiographic features of tuberculosis were assessed in 202 HIV-positive adults and 220 HIV-negative patients admitted consecutively. Using univariate analysis, several of these features were found to be significantly associated with being HIV-positive, but after multiple regression analysis only, age group (15 to 42 yr), a negative tuberculin response, intrathoracic lymphadenopathy, and lack of cavitation but not sputum-smear status remained significant.

Radiographic features of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients infected by HIV: is there an objective indicator of co-infection?

“…The association found between a negative reaction to the tuberculin test (PPD=0mm) and a positive anti-HIV test (p< 0.001) is in agreement with the literature 15 . In HIV + patients, due to the absence of delayed-type hypersensitivity response, lung cavitation is not usual, so the dissemination of bacilli may occur and result in atypical findings.…”

“…Pozniak et al 15 found in Zimbabwe, Africa, that the distribution of co-infection by sex was similar, whilst Awil et al 1 , in another area of Africa (Gulu, Uganda) described a higher frequency of co-infection among women. In the present study there was a larger proportion of males among those infected by HIV (p=0.044).…”

“…Traditional diagnostic methods to a certain extent lose their specificity 15 , thus necessitating the redefinition of their characteristics.…”

“…The culture for M. tuberculosis is not routinely performed due to the cost and delay in obtaining results 11 . In cases of pulmonar y tuberculosis associated with HIV infection, the results of these examinations are often uncharacteristic, which delays the diagnosis 15 . At present, HIV testing is not routinely carried out on all tuberculosis patients 8 .…”

The profile of pleural tuberculosis patients in Turkey

“…Based on data from past studies indicating higher percentage of pleural effusion in patients with thoracic tuberculosis accompanied with HIV-positivity, the incidence of pleural effusions seems to be higher in patients with AIDS [10][11][12].…”