Abstract
Background: Tuberculosis and HIV infection are two serious problems, which associated condition is one another negative. In Romania there is an increased prevalence of tuberculosis, but proportion of TB-HIV coinfected patients remains low. Due to management issues in this group of patients, bacteriological identification and susceptibility profile are very important.
Aims: To identify the bacteriological profile of strains isolated from new cases of TB-HIV patients and to evaluate the management in this group of patients.
Methods: Descriptive retrospective analysis of new cases of TB-HIV coinfected patients reported in 2009 in the National Register of Tuberculosis.
Results: Were analyzed 155 patients (70.8%) representing the new cases from a total of 219 TB patients notified as seropositive. The mean age was 28 years, 68.3% males, most of them with pulmonary TB (127 patients, representing 81.9% of total cases). Bacterial confirmation rate in culture was low (48.3%), even in pulmonary TB cases (69 patients). Drug resistance was certified in six cases: monoresistance to rifampicin in one case and MDR in 5 cases. Among the patients of our group 114 were successfully treated, 10 patients abandoned TB treatment and 6 failed. The mortality rate was 11.6% (18 patients), most of deceases in pulmonary TB cases (83.33%).
Conclusions: We found a low rate of drug resistance in our group, but bacteriological confirmation was possible only in 48,3% cases. Intensified efforts in bacteriological examinations are necessary to confirm the TB in HIV patients and to exclude other pathology, for a appropriate management.
- © 2011 ERS
