AEGiS-14IAC: On the complexity of TB / AIDS association.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

On the complexity of TB / AIDS association.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. B10237)

Jidy MD, Nunez IG, Avila JP
Instituto Pedro Kouri, Ciudad Habana, Cuba

BACKGROUND: The complexity of both diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis associated with AIDS is a challenge for any physician.

METHODS: Data were collected from the medical records of 197 AIDS/TB patients hospitalized at Pedro Kouri Institute, the national reference center for diagnosis and treatment of AIDS complications in Cuba, from November 1992, when the first case of coinfection was detected, to December 6, 2001.

RESULTS: In Cuba, a total of 3821 seropositive HIV patients since de epidemic began in 1986 and until December 6, 2001 has been detected. Sixty-one percent of the TB diagnosis was made by either bacilloscopy or culture; the other 39 % by strong clinical evidence supported by epidemiological laboratory data and radiology. Patients were administered the four drugs used in our country for treating TB in AIDS patients (isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide) in a regular interval scheme, in order to detect toxic adverse effects. Patient without treatment (HAART) started it after the first phase of anti-TB treatment was completed; for those under previous treatment with antiprotease, rifabutin was replaced by rifampin and administered at lower dose leading to satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of TB in AIDS patients becomes difficult because of the atypical presentation of the disease, so does the combined treatment of anti-TB and antiviral agents, mainly the rifampin-antiproteases combination.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Tuberculosis, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Rifampin, Ethambutol, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Cuba, Human, Diagnosis, therapy

020707
B10237