Pleural Fluid Analysis in HIV-associated Tuberculosis Patients: A Retrospective Study.

ABSTRACT

Background: One of the most common opportunistic infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients is tuberculosis. Increasing spread of HIV has become a major contributor in increasing the incidence of tuberculosis. Both the problems should be dealt with simultaneously to stop the future pandemic. Method: This is a retrospective study; 30 adult patients seropositive for HIV and having tuberculosis were included. Pleural fluid was collected for cell count, cell type and for analysis of sugar, proteins and chloride levels. Results: The prevalence of the disease was more in males compared to females. The tuberculin skin test was negative in most of the cases. Pleural effusion was unilateral in all except two patients and it was confined to the right side in many. The lymphocytes were predominant cells in the fluid. The sugar and proteins were lower than the normal blood levels, and the chlorides were increased. Conclusion: Extrapulmonary tuberculosis is very common mostly in the form of pleural effusion. Tuberculin skin testing and sputum AFB do not contribute much to the diagnosis. Analysis of pleural fluid in all seropositive cases of HIV with clinical features of tuberculosis is absolutely necessary.