Objective: To describe the differences in the clinical and radiological presentation of tuberculosis in the presence or absence of HIV infection. Methods: A sample of 231 consecutive adults with active pulmonary tuberculosis admitted to a tuberculosis hospital were studied, assessing HIV infection, AIDS, and associated factors, as well as re-evaluating chest X-rays. Results: There were 113 HIV-positive patients (49%) Comparing the 113 HIV-positive patients (49%) to the 118 HIV-negative patients (51%), the former presented a higher frequency of atypical pulmonary tuberculosis (pulmonary lesions accompanied by intrathoracic lymph node enlargement), hematogenous tuberculosis, and pulmonary tuberculosis accompanied by superficial lymph node enlargement, as well as presenting less pulmonary cavitation. The same was found when HIV-positive patients with AIDS were compared to those without AIDS. There were no differences between the HIV-positive patients without AIDS and the HIV-negative patients. Median CD4 counts were lower in HIV-positive patients with intrathoracic lymph node enlargement and pulmonary lesions than in the HIV-positive patients with pulmonary lesions only (47 vs. tive sputum smear microscopy; having undergone HIV testing; and having undergone simple anteroposterior and lateral chest X-ray.The data were obtained through the re-evaluation of chest X-rays and the review of medical charts. The variables analyzed were as follows: age; gender; alcoholism; use of illicit drugs; corticosteroid use; duration of symptoms; presence of multifocal disease, diabetes mellitus, neoplasias, and opportunistic diseases; results of HIV testing; number of CD4 T lymphocytes; and radiological findings.Sputum smear microscopy was performed using the Ziehl-Neelsen technique. The HIV testing was performed using the ELISA method, and positive results were confirmed by Western blot. The CD4 counts were obtained using flow cytometry. Alcoholism and drug addiction were considered present when they had been registered on the medical chart by the treatment team. Multifocal disease was defined by the presence of superficial lymph node enlargement in patients with pulmonary TB.The chest X-rays were independently evaluated by two radiologists, who had no knowledge of the results of HIV testing, in order to identify the types of TB; the location of the lesions in the lung segments; and the presence of cavitary lesions, hilar or mediastinal lymph node enlargement, and pleural effusion. In case of inconsistency between the evaluations, the chest X-rays were jointly examined and, in the event of the inconsistency persisting, a third radiologist was consulted so that a consensus could be reached. The types of TB were characterized using the following classification: 1) Classic pulmonary TB: pulmonary lesions unaccompanied by hilar or mediastinal lymph node enlargement; 2) Tuberculous pneumonia: homogeneous consolidation with air bronchograms, with or without intrathoracic lymph node enlargement; 3) Hematogenous TB: diffuse pulmonar...