Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Patients with HIV/AIDS in Iran

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Immunology

Background:

• Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) presents differently in HIV-infected individuals based on immunosuppression levels.
• This study investigated how HIV infection influences the clinical, laboratory, and radiological features of TB.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the clinical, laboratory, and radiological presentations of pulmonary TB in HIV-infected patients versus HIV-seronegative patients.
• To understand the impact of HIV co-infection on TB manifestations.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study compared 56 HIV-infected TB patients with 56 matched HIV-seronegative TB patients.
• Data collected included clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and radiological features.
• Paired t-test was used for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• HIV-positive patients had less frequent cavitary lesions, upper lobe, and bilateral lung involvement.
• Lymphadenopathy was exclusively observed in HIV-positive patients (12%).
• Primary pattern TB was more common in HIV-positive patients (71% vs. 39%). Tuberculin test reactivity was 29% in HIV/TB patients.

Conclusions:

• HIV co-infection significantly alters the presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Awareness of these differences is crucial for diagnosing HIV infection and TB co-infection.
• The interplay between HIV and TB necessitates considering both conditions in diagnosis and management.