TREND OF HIV-INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN SOUTH-INDIA

Setting: Tuberculosis is life threatening, transmissible and pandemic especially among millions of HIV infected persons. In developing count ries like India where HIV infection is becoming prevalent and where tu berculosis infection has long been endemic, its incidence is increasin g. Objective: The aim of the study was to find out the trend of HIV in fection in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in south India. Design : HIV seropositivity was assessed in 1430 radiologically and/or bacter iologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis patients attending major tuberculosis institutions in Madras by the AIDS Cell, Institute of Mic robiology, Madras Medical College, Madras from January 1991 to May 199 3. Results: HIV seropositivity was found to rise significantly from 0. 77% in 1991 to 3.4% in 1993 (P < 0.05). 22 (91.67%) of a total of 24 H IV seropositive pulmonary tuberculosis patients had pulmonary cavities and 21 patients (87.5%) had bacteriological confirmation of tuberculo sis. Conclusion: The findings of this prospective study suggest that p ulmonary tuberculosis patients with HIV infection are an in early phas e of immunosuppression. This study reveals the rising trend of HIV inf ection; all persons with tuberculosis should therefore be questioned a bout the risk factors for HIV infection and urged to have an HIV test.