Vivek K. U1
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study is to record the clinical, radiological profile of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in HIV positive patients. To win the battle against AIDS we have to fight against TB. Unlike HIV/AIDS, TB is completely curable in the vast majority of cases.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This prospective study was conducted in the department of pulmonary medicine, Gadag institute of medical sciences, Gadag. All newly diagnosed HIV patients during the study period were included and screened for TB. HIV infection was confirmed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using two different antigens and a rapid test as recommended by NACO.
RESULTS
Among 370 newly diagnosed HIV positive patients, 113(30.54%) patients were diagnosed to have TB. Most common affected age group was 31-40years with a mean age of 38.08 years. Unprotected heterosexual contact was the most common mode of HIV transmission. Fever, weight loss and cough were the commonest symptoms at presentation. Pulmonary TB was diagnosed in 85(22.97%) patients, EPTB in 21(5.67%) and disseminated TB in 7(1.8%) patients. Among the EPTB patients, 2(9.5%) patients had extra thoracic lymphadenopathy. Cervical lymph node was the commonest lymph node involved. 14(66.66%) patients had pleural effusion, 3(14.28%) had abdominal TB, 1(4.76%) had tubercular meningitis and 1(4.76%) patient had TB testis.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of HIV–TB co-infection was high. Moreover, HIV positive patients need early diagnosis and treatment of active TB. However large sample size prospective studies are needed to correlate the clinical and CD4 count with the occurrence of different types of tuberculosis.
