Importance of human immunodeficiency virus-associated lymphadenopathy and tuberculous lymphadenitis in patients undergoing lymph node biopsy in Zambia.

ABSTRACT

PIP: Data from a prospective cohort study conducted during 1989-1990 of HIV serology and from a retrospective review of laboratory records of 727 patients presenting for superficial lymph node biopsy at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, were analyzed to determine the relative significance of HIV-associated lymphadenopathy among patients undergoing lymph node biopsy. 380 (52%) of the 727 biopsy patients had tuberculous lymphadenitis (secondary HIV lymphadenopathy). Another 160 (22%) had presumed primary HIV lymphadenopathy. The remaining 66 (9%) had nodal Kaposi's disease. 280 adults were tested for HIV antibodies. 91% tested positive for HIV. The HIV rate was 89% for patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis, 98% for suspected primary HIV lymphadenopathy cases, and 100% for those with nodal Kaposi's disease. As for the 22 children 0-16 years old, 8 were HIV positive. 50% of HIV-positive children who underwent lymph node biopsy had tuberculous lymphadenitis. Three had suspected primary HIV lymphadenopathy and 1 had nodal Kaposi's disease. These findings show that HIV-associated lymphadenopathy, particularly tuberculous lymphadenitis, is very prevalent in patients undergoing lymph node biopsy. They stress the importance of investigating further HIV-positive patients with suspicious asymmetrical nodes in central Africa. Simple, appropriate methods (e.g., wide-needle aspiration) are needed for the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis in this region, with its dearth of facilities for surgery and histopathology.