HIV seropositivity in high risk individuals and in pulmonary tuberculosis

Background: The association between tuberculosis and HIV has been well known. South Asia especially India is witnessing largest number of new AIDS cases and the epidemic is well established. TB shortens the life expectancy of HIV positive people. Keeping the association between TB and HIV in mind, this study was planned to screen HIV seropositivity in all patients of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis. The aim was to study HIV seroprevalence in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis of population of Bundelkhand region, India.Methods: 282 patients of pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis attending OPD or admitted in wards were included in the study as per inclusion criteria over two years. ELISA was done to detect HIV seropositivity in these patients.Results: A total of 184 patients were male and 98 were female with 16 and 2 patients who were seropositive respectively. Out of 282 patients of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis 35 (12.4%) had heterosexual promiscuity. Out of these 15 (42.35%) were HIV seropositive. A total of 115 patients were sputum smear positive for TB and 167 were confirmed as cases of sputum smear negative TB.Conclusions: The prevalence of HIV seropositivity among pulmonary and extra pulmonary TB in the present study was 6.38%. Tuberculosis was associated with an increased incidence of HIV. HIV was associated most with heterosexual promiscuity as a risk factor and presented more with extra pulmonary tuberculosis.