Dual pulmonary infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pneumocystis carinii in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Jan 15;32(2):289-94. doi: 10.1086/318475. Epub 2001 Jan 15.

Abstract

During a 22-month period, we identified 39 patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (mean CD4(+) count, 90 cells/mm(3)) who were hospitalized with pneumonia and who had sputum and/or other specimens that tested concurrently positive for both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pneumocystis carinii. The most common chest x-ray abnormality was a reticulonodular pattern or bilateral infiltrates (n=26). Serum lactate dehydrogenase levels were elevated in 17 (85%) of 20 of patients tested (mean value, 2208 U/L). Mean O(2) saturation and PO(2) were 89% and 64 mm Hg, respectively. A majority (24 patients [62%]) received both antituberculous and anti-PCP therapy (17 with steroids), and 22 improved. All ten patients who received no treatment for PCP improved and were discharged from the hospital, whereas 4 (80%) of the 5 persons who received no antituberculous treatment had a poor outcome (P<.001; OR=43). Patients with HIV or acquired immune deficiency syndrome may present with both TB and PCP; of the 2, TB seems to account for the most severe features of disease.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / complications*
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • HIV Seropositivity / complications*
  • HIV Seropositivity / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / blood
  • Male
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis* / isolation & purification
  • Pneumocystis* / isolation & purification
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / microbiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • South Africa / epidemiology
  • Sputum / microbiology
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / complications*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / microbiology

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antitubercular Agents
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase