Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the current impact of HIV infection on the clinical presentation, laboratory features and outcome of tuberculous pleural effusion in adult patients in Yaounde.
Methods: We studied prospectively 196 consecutive patients, aged 15 years and above, hospitalized in the chest clinic of Yaounde Jamot Hospital with tuberculous pleural effusion between October 2007 and February 2010.
Results: Eighty-two (41.8%) of the 196 patients were HIV positive. Cough, sputum production, fever, night sweats and weight loss were significantly more common in HIV positive patients than in HIV negative patients. Pulmonary infiltrates were found in 39 (47.6%) of HIV positive patients versus 34 (29.8%) of HIV negative patients (P=0.011). No significant differences were found between HIV positive and HIV negative patients with regard to pleural granuloma formation. The therapeutic success rate was 80.7% among HIV negative patients and 72% among HIV positive patients (P=0.151).
Conclusions: HIV infection modifies the clinical presentation and chest radiographic features of tuberculous pleural effusion, but not pleural granuloma formation or the therapeutic success rate of this affection.
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