[Pulmonary tuberculosis with normal chest radiography and infection by human immunodeficiency virus]

We report 16 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis with normal chest x-ray film associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These patients belong to a sample of 125 cases of tuberculosis and HIV infection observed during the same study period. The clinical features and the diagnostic methods are described. The unusual character of the finding and its relevance are discussed, as the presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis with normal chest x-ray film was relatively common in patients with HIV infection (12.8%) in our series. This possibility should be considered in the whole population of patients with HIV infection.