title: Radiographic chest findings and immunological status in HIV-positive patients with tuberculosis coinfection in a sub-urban Nigerian tertiary hospital.
abstract: The study was undertaken to assess chest radiographic features and lymphocyte counts among HIV-positive patients with TB coinfection.
  
  
  
  We reviewed the chest radiographs of all newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve HIV-positive patients attending the Treatment Centre at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria. The radiographs were examined for presence or absence of features of tuberculosis and pneumonia. Those with tuberculosis were further evaluated for presence of cavities and milliary appearance. The demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded.
  
  
  
  Two hundred and ninety-five radiographs were reviewed, consisting of 192 females, 103 males with mean ages of 33.6±11.65 and 37.85±13.54 years, respectively. Normal radiographs were found in 68.5% patients, features of tuberculosis in 27.8%, and pneumonia in 2.7%. The percentages of males and females with tuberculosis were 35% and 25%, respectively. Patients with milliary TB were from the youngest age group and those with cavities had CD4 cell count below 200cells/mm(3). Cavities occurred most frequently in the lower zones. WBC and counts were highest in patients with pneumonia.
  
  
  
  Normal chest radiographs were associated with mild clinical course. Males were more frequently involved in TB coinfection. Cavities were associated with lowest CD4 cell count and occurred more in lower zones. Patients with HIV/PTB coinfection had the most severe weight loss. There was no statistically significant difference in absolute lymphocyte count between patients with or without tuberculosis. Chest radiograph remains a veritable tool for identifying HIV/AIDS patients with tuberculosis whether sputum is positive or negative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. Electronic address: ayodeji.olatunji@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Olatunji
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Services, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Olatunji
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Salako
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D060085:Coinfection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013383:Suburban Population; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: CD4 counts; Chest radiograph; HIV/AIDS; Pulmonary TB