PREVALENCE OF HIV-TB CO-INFECTION AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TUBERCULOSIS AND CD4 COUNT IN HIV PATIENTS DURING THE COURSE OF THE TREATMENT IN PATIENTS ATTENDING ART CENTER AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr. Divya Undrakonda, Dr. N. Sridevi*, Dr. G. Jyothi Lakshmi, Dr. P. Shashikala Reddy

ABSTRACT

Background-HIV-TB co-infection has become a major public health problem worldwide. When HIV and TB co infection occurs, they form a deadly combination with each accelerating the progression of the other, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Low CD4 count is associated with low immunity and higher risk of tuberculosis. In this study, We aimed to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis-HIV coinfection, and the relationship between tuberculosis and CD4 count in HIV patients, we examined trends in CD4 count over follow up period, ART usage and treatment outcomes among HIV-positive TB patients attending ART center at tertiary care hospital in the year 2020.Materials and methods-A prospective study is conducted in patients attending ART center at Osmania General Hospital( tertiary care hospital) during 2019 and 2020. Collected data of all the patients with HIV diagnosed with Tuberculosis from the ART Centre. Data about demographic details including age, sex, Education, Occupation ,details of diagnosis of TB, CD4 count at the diagnosis of TB, details of ART therapy and ATT therapy and outcomes of treatment. Results- Prevalence of HIV-TB coinfection in the year 2019 and 2020 are 7.3%.In both years HIV-TB coinfection is more prevalent in males (72%) compared to females (28%). Prevalence of pulmonary Tuberculosis in 2020 is 47% which is less than the prevalence of pulmonary TB in 2019(58%). 70% of patients developed Tuberculosis with CD4 count <200/μl,21% of patients are with 200-400/μl and 9% of patients are with >400/μl during 2019 whereas in year 2020,64% of patients developed Tuberculosis with CD4 count <200/μl,22% of patients are with 200-400/μl and 14% of patients are with >400/μl 97.5% of patients are on TLE regimen and 2.5% of patient with CD4 count 715 μL are on ZL+E regimen. Conclusion-Most of the patients (90%) are illiterates. In a country like India where both these diseases are rampant, better information, education, understanding and awareness for prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of these two notorious infectious diseases is mandatory.

Keywords: HIV-TB Co infection, CD4 Count, ART.