Objective: To investigate the incidence, clinical features, and treatment of tuberculous pleurisy in AIDS patients.
Methods: We reviewed all cases of pleural tuberculosis in AIDS patients in South Carolina from 1988 through 1994. Clinical findings, test results, treatment, and outcome were analyzed.
Main results: Twenty-two (11%) of the 202 AIDS patients with tuberculosis had pleural involvement compared to 6% (169/2,817) pleural involvement in non-AIDS patients (p=0.01). Associated features of AIDS tuberculous pleurisy included substantial weight loss (7.65+/-1.35 kg) and lower lobe infiltrates (12/22; 55%). No difference in pleural fluid characteristics was found when comparing AIDS patients with a serum CD4 count > or =200/microL to patients with CD4 count <200/microL. Two (9%) of the 22 patients died of tuberculosis. Chest radiograph follow-up of 20 patients showed complete resolution in 7, improvement in 10, and no improvement in 3.
Conclusions: In South Carolina, pleural involvement is more common in AIDS patients than in non-AIDS patients with tuberculosis. Tuberculous pleurisy has several atypical features in AIDS patients such as substantial weight loss and lower lobe infiltrates. The outcome of treatment is good for most patients.