[Bronchiectasia in HIV-positive patients]

Between July 1995 and July 1997 we diagnosed bronchiectasis confirmed by CT scan chest in 25 (18 men and 7 women) out of 295 hospitalised patients with HIV infection who suffered from lower respiratory infection. Median age at time of diagnosis of bronchiectasis was 32 years old. The patients were mostly intravenous drug addicts. In all cases a previous pulmonary infection was revealed (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, tuberculosis, recurrent pneumonia) with impairment of immune status (CD4 media = 64.8 mm3). Presence of persistent or intermittent cough with purulent sputum, repeated low respiratory infection and abnormal chest radiograph were correlated to bronchiectasis by chest CT scan. We conclude, that there is a significant occurrence of bronchiectasis in patients with HIV infections and pulmonary disease, thus increasing morbidity and mortality in these patients and being the cause of repeated hospitalisations due to bacterial respiratory infections.