Mycobacterial lymphadenitis associated with the initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the impact of combination antiretroviral therapy on the clinical and laboratory features of mycobacterial lymphadenitis, we conducted a retrospective chart review of HIV-related mycobacterial lymphadenitis at St. Paul's hospital between 1989 and 1997. Among 52 evaluable patients, 12 presented within 12 weeks of initiating combination antiretroviral therapy (group 1, n = 12); the others developed lesions while receiving no antiretrovirals, monotherapy, or a stable combination regimen of >12 weeks duration (group 2, n = 40).


RESULTS
Group 1 patients had higher absolute CD4 lymphocyte counts (median, 150 versus 20 cells/mm3, respectively; p = .001) and hemoglobin levels (median, 113 versus 88 g/L, respectively; p = .002) at the time of mycobacterial diagnosis. Clinical comparison showed that group 1 patients were more likely to develop a draining sinus (50% versus 0%; p < .001), but less often to have weight loss (17% versus 74%; p < .0001) or disease which was disseminated (25% versus 70%; p = .04) or caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (0% versus 33%; p = .04).


CONCLUSIONS
Mycobacterial lymphadenitis developing within 12 weeks of initiating combination antiretroviral therapy is often localized Mycobacterium avium complex disease, associated with a relatively high CD4 count. The clinical course is often complicated by the development of a draining sinus. The close temporal association suggests that such treatment may unmask subclinical infection by enhancing the immune response to mycobacterial antigens.
Phillips
P
P
AIDS Research Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, St. Paul's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. pphils@hivnet.ubc.ca
Kwiatkowski
M B
MB
Copland
M
M
Craib
K
K
Montaner
J
J
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D015270:Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents