Abstract
Introduction: TB/HIV co-infection remains a challenge for clinicians particularly due to complex nature of concomitant treatment of TB and HIV. We present an analysis of all TB/HIV co-infected patients treated at our unit.
Methods: Data were retrospectively collated through electronic patient records and case note review.
Results: We identified 31 patients between 2011 and 2015. Demographics and baseline characteristics are shown in 8 patients were newly diagnosed with HIV at the time of TB diagnosis whilst 23 patients were already known to have HIV. No patient had previously been offered TB chemoprophylaxis. 12 patients (40%) had disengaged from care and 10 were on antiretroviral treatment (ART). 25 (80%) patients had pulmonary and 19 (61%) had disseminated disease. 24 patients (77%) required admission to hospital. Patients with disseminated TB and MDR-TB had longer hospital stay with median duration of 52 and 68 days, respectively. Patients with CD4 <200 cells/mL had significantly longer hospital stay compared to those with a higher CD4 count. 2 patients with disseminated disease died during treatment. 28 patients were on ART during TB treatment; 21/21 (100%) had undetectable HIV viral load at 6 months.
Conclusion: The majority of patients had low CD4 counts and presented with disseminated TB leading to prolonged hospitalization. Starting ART as well as screening for latent TB may help reduce the rate of active TB infection.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
