Mycobacterial Co-Infection in Retroviral Disease

Atypical mycobacteria are increasingly afflicting pulmonary and extra pulmonary systems. Disease caused by these organisms are less common compared with tuberculosis caused by human strain of mycobacteria, but there has been a significant increase in pulmonary and extra pulmonary infections due to atypical mycobacteria especially in retroviral disease in the last two decades. 75 HIV positive patients who had pulmonary and/or extrapulmonary manifestations suggestive of Tuberculosis were included in our study. Of these, 48 (64%) were males and 27(36%)were females. Majority of these patients were in economically productive and sexually active age group of 31-50 years. Of the 75 samples, 25 were culture positive for Acid Fast Bacilli whereas 50 samples showed no growth on culture at end of 8 weeks. Of the 25 who had positive cultures, 15 showed growth for Mycobacterium TB and 10 showed growth for Atypical mycobacteria. Of the 25 patients who were Culture positive, 16 i.e 64% had Sputum smears by Z-N stain positive for AFB, which was statistically significant. It was observed that Atypical mycobacterial infection was more common in CD4 count < 100 cells/cu mm. Infection with Mycobacterium TB was more common in CD4 count between 101-200 cells/cu mm.