Characteristics of HIV-infected tuberculosis patients in Thailand.

To improve understanding about the epidemiology and clinical features of HIV-associated tuberculosis (TB) infection we conducted a prospective, multi-center observational study of HIV-infected TB patients in Thailand. We enrolled HIV-infected patients diagnosed with TB at public health facilities from three provinces and the national infectious diseases referral hospital in Thailand. Patients underwent standardized interviews, evaluations, and laboratory testing at the beginning of TB treatment. We analyzed demographic and clinical characteristics of patients and stratified our findings by level of immune-suppression and whether antiretroviral therapy (ART) was used before TB diagnosis. Of 769 patients analyzed, pulmonary TB was diagnosed in 461 (60%). The median CD4+ T-lymphocyte (CD4) count was 63 cells/microl [interquartile range (IQR), 23-163.5] and the median HIV RNA viral load was 308,000 copies/ml (IQR, 51,900-759,000) at the time of TB diagnosis. Methamphetamine use was reported by 304 patients (40%), marijuana by 267 patients (35%), and injection drug use by 199 patients (26%). Three hundred three patients (40%) reported having been previously incarcerated. Among sexually active patients, 142 (42%) reported never using condoms at all. Patients with CD4 counts <200 cells/microl were significantly more likely than patients with CD4 counts > or =200 cells/microl to have extra-pulmonary TB, fever, fatigue, muscle weakness, no hemoptysis, tachycardia, low body mass index, jaundice, or no pleural effusion. Of the 94 patients that received ART before TB diagnosis, the median time from ART initiation to TB diagnosis was 105 days (IQR, 31-468). HIV-infected patients who developed TB after ART initiation were more likely than other HIV-infected TB patients to have extra-pulmonary TB, a normal chest radiograph, low HIV RNA viral load, or a history of previous TB treatment.

Causes of death in HIV-infected persons who have tuberculosis, Thailand.

Up to 50% of persons with HIV and a diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in Thailand die during TB treatment. In a prospective observational study, a team of physicians ascribed the cause of death after reviewing verbal autopsies (interviews of family members about events preceding death), laboratory data, and medical records. Of 849 HIV-infected TB patients enrolled, 142 (17%) died. The cause of death was TB for 38 (27%), including 6 with multidrug-resistant TB and 20 with disseminated TB; an HIV-associated condition other than TB for 50 (35%); and a condition unrelated to TB or HIV for 22 (15%). Twenty-three patients (16%) were judged not to have had TB at all. Death from all causes except those unrelated to TB or HIV was less common in persons receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). In addition to increasing the use of ART, death rates may be reduced through expanded use of modern TB diagnostic techniques.