Characteristics of sputum smear-positive tuberculosis patients with and without HIV infection in a hospital in Zimbabwe

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has a large impact on tuberculosis in Africa. In this study, the prevalence of HIV infection in a population of hospitalized tuberculosis patients in Zimbabwe was determined and demographic characteristics, clinical signs and symptoms, as well as radiographic appearance were compared in tuberculosis patients with and without HIV infection. During a 5 month observation period, information on tuberculosis patients referred to Driefontein Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Mvuma, Zimbabwe was collected, computerized and analysed with commercially available software. Of 467 patients admitted, 255 were sputum smear positive for acid-fast bacilli. Of 196 patients with complete information, 127 (65%) were HIV-seropositive. When compared to the 69 HIV-seronegative patients, HIV-infected patients were not different in age, gender, the period of delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, radiographic appearance, history of previous antituberculosis treatment and symptoms and signs reported, with the exception of herpes zoster and other sexually-transmitted disease. The prevalence of HIV infection in our population of tuberculosis patients was large. However, since demographic and clinical characteristics are remarkably similar in tuberculosis patients with and without HIV infection, case-finding activities need not be altered in the wake of the HIV epidemic.