ABSTRACT
The prolonged course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is marked by a decrease in the number of circulating CD4+ T helper cells and persistent viral replication, resulting in immunologic decline and death from opportunistic infections. The study was conducted in HIV Seropositive Patients admitted in our hospital. Demographic profile of the patient was recorded along with history, examination, investigations and evaluated for pulmonary manifestations and correlated with the CD4 counts. Age of HIV positive cases ranged from 21 to 74 years, male: female ratio was 3:1. Commonest mode of transmission was heterosexual sex (77%) followed by IV drug abusers (13.3%). Commonest X- ray finding was Infiltrates (33.3%) followed by pleural effusion (8%) and miliary mottling (5.3%). Commonest pulmonary diagnosis was pulmonary tuberculosis in 22.6% cases, followed by pyogenic pneumonia in 14.67% and pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in 5.3% cases. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis was present in 16% of the cases. Pulmonary tuberculosis and pyogenic pneumonia was present in over wide range of CD4 count but their incidence has increased as the CD4 count declined. The knowledge of the CD4 count level in HIV patients is extremely useful in making differential diagnosis and suggesting a diagnostic and therapeutic plan.
ABSTRACT
Pulmonary tuberculosis is very prevalent in developing countries but its thrombogenic potential is a new entity. There are reports stating the relation of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) with severe forms of tuberculosis but no literature is available for correlation of pulmonary tuberculosis and pulmonary embolism. We are presenting series of five patients with different forms of tuberculosis presenting with pulmonary embolism having no risk factor for hypercoagulability. Also, serum protein C, protein S, antithrombin and factor V levels were normal in all. We are highlighting an unreported phenomenon so that high suspicion, adequate prophylaxis and prompt management of pulmonary embolism can play a vital role in the survival of this subset of patients.