Radiological patterns in HIV-associated pulmonary tuberculosis: comparison between HAART-treated and non-HAART-treated patients

Effect of combination antiretroviral therapy on the clinical manifestations, radiological characteristics, and disease severity of HIV-associated Talaromyces marneffei infection

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has an effect on the clinical manifestations, radiological characteristics, and disease severity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated Talaromyces marneffei infection. The clinical manifestations, chest computed tomography (CT) images, and disease severity were compared between 14 patients with culture-confirmed T. marneffei infections who received cART and 38 patients who did not receive cART. Clinical manifestations included high fever (>38°C), cough, shortness of breath, chills, and skin rash. Chest CT scans were evaluated for the presence of ground-glass opacities, consolidation, miliary nodules, nodules, masses, cavitation, pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, mediastinal lymphadenitis, and the distribution of parenchymal abnormalities. Disease severity was estimated by clinical manifestations and chest CT findings. Fever (>38°C), cough, shortness of breath, and chills were significantly less frequent in patients who received cART than in those who did not receive cART (P < 0.05). The frequencies of miliary nodules, mediastinal lymphadenitis, and the proportion of diffuse lesions were significantly lower in patients who received cART than in those who did not receive cART (P < 0.05). The disease severity was significantly decreased in patients who received cART compared with patients who did not receive cART (P < 0.001). T. marneffei-infected patients who received cART had fewer clinical manifestations and decreased disease severity compared with those who did not receive this treatment. The use of cART is associated with modified chest CT characteristics in HIV-associated T. marneffei infections.

The impact of glycemic status on radiological manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis in diabetic patients

Setting

Diabetes mellitus (DM) may increase risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and influence its radiological manifestations.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of glycemic status on radiological findings of PTB in diabetic patients.

Methods

Between January 2010 and December 2015, chest radiographs (CXRs) in consecutive 214 DM patients with culture-proved PTB and 123 available thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans were enrolled. An equal number of non-DM patients with similar demographics was included as the control group. Glycemic status was assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and a cutoff of 8% was used to further investigate radiological features of diabetic PTB. Two radiologists and one pulmonologist reviewed the chest images independently.

Results

Compared with non-DM patients, primary PTB pattern and extensive disease on CXRs as well as primary PTB pattern, large non-cavitary nodule, more than one cavity in a single lesion, unusual location, and all lobe involvement of lesions on thoracic CT scans were more common in DM patients. Furthermore, diabetics with HbA1c > 8% were more likely to exhibit unusual findings (P < 0.001), far advanced extensive lesions (P < 0.001) on CXRs, lymphadenopathy (P = 0.028), more than one cavity in a single lesion (P < 0.001) and all lobe involvement (P = 0.041) on thoracic CT scans.

Conclusions

Glycemic status influenced radiological manifestations of diabetic PTB. Given an increased risk of atypical radiological presentations of PTB in DM patients, physicians should be alert and pay more attention to those with poor glycemic control.

Risk Factors Associated With Quantitative Evidence of Lung Emphysema and Fibrosis in an HIV-Infected Cohort

INTRODUCTION

The disease spectrum for HIV-infected individuals has shifted toward comorbid non-AIDS conditions including chronic lung disease, but quantitative image analysis of lung disease has not been performed.

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the prevalence of structural changes of the lung indicating emphysema or fibrosis on radiographic examination.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis of 510 HIV-infected participants in the multicenter Lung-HIV study was performed. Data collected included demographics, biological markers of HIV, pulmonary function testing, and chest computed tomographic examinations. Emphysema and fibrosis-like changes were quantified on computed tomographic images based on threshold approaches.

RESULTS

In our cohort, 69% was on antiretroviral therapy, 13% had a current CD4 cell count less than 200 cells per microliter, 39% had an HIV viral load greater than 500 copies per milliliter, and 25% had at least a trace level of emphysema (defined as >2.5% of voxels <-950HU). Trace emphysema was significantly correlated with age, smoking, and pulmonary function. Neither current CD4 cell count nor HIV viral load was significantly correlated with emphysema. Fibrosis-like changes were detected in 29% of the participants and were significantly correlated with HIV viral load (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.210; P < 0.05); current CD4 cell count was not associated with fibrosis. In multivariable analyses including age, race, and smoking status, HIV viral load remained significantly correlated with fibrosis-like changes (coefficient = 0.107; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher HIV viral load was significantly associated with fibrosis-like changes, possibly indicating early interstitial lung disease, but emphysematous changes were not related to current CD4 cell count or HIV viral load.

The effect of HIV and antiretroviral therapy on characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in northern Malawi: a cross-sectional study

Background

HIV infection reduces the likelihood that individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis are smear positive and that they have cavitatory disease. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) may shift the pattern of disease to be more similar to that of HIV negative patients. This would aid diagnosis- which often depends on sputum smears – but would also increase infectiousness. We assessed the effect of HIV and ART on smear positivity and cavitatory disease in laboratory-confirmed pulmonary TB patients.

Methods

Three sputum samples were collected per pulmonary TB suspect and were examined using microscopy and culture. Chest radiographs were available for a subset of patients as part of another study. The effect of HIV and ART status on sputum smear positivity and lung cavitation were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Of 1024 laboratory-confirmed pulmonary TB patients who were identified between January 2005 and December 2011, 766 had HIV and ART status available. Positive sputum smears were significantly more common among HIV negative individuals than HIV positive individuals (adjusted OR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.53 – 5.55). Compared to those HIV positive but not on ART, patients on ART were more likely to be smear positive (adjusted OR = 2.33, 95% CI 1.01 – 5.39) if they had been on ART ≤ 6 months, but only slightly more likely to be smear positive (adjusted OR = 1.43, 95% CI 0.68 – 2.99) if they were on ART > 6 months. HIV negative patients were more likely than HIV positive patients to have cavitatory disease (adjusted OR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.20 – 3.23). Patients on ART > 6 months had a slight increase in cavitatory disease compared to HIV positive patients not on ART (adjusted OR = 1.68, CI 0.78 – 3.63).

Conclusions

HIV infection is associated with less smear positivity and cavitation in pulmonary TB patients. Among HIV positive patients, the use of ART shifts the presentation of disease towards that seen in HIV-negative individuals, which facilitates diagnosis but which also could increase infectiousness.

The Effect of Low CD4+ Lymphocyte Count on the Radiographic Patterns of HIV Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Nigerians

Objective. To assess the radiographic features in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) complicated by pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), and the association with CD4 lymphocyte count and sputum smear. Method. A prospective study was carried out on 89 HIV positive patients with PTB. The demographics, smoking history, sputum smear result, chest radiographic findings and CD4 lymphocyte count were documented. Results. Out of the 89 patients recruited in the study, 41 were males and 48 were females. Eighteen (18) patients had typical radiographic features, 60 patients had atypical radiographic features while only 11 of them had normal radiographic films. Sixty eight (68) patients had CD4 count <200 cells/mm³, 19 patients had CD4 count between 200–499 cells/mm³, while only 2 patients had CD4 count from 500 cells/mm³ upwards. The association between low CD4 count and radiographic finding was statistically significant, (P value <0.05). Sixty (60) patients had negative sputum smear for Acid and Alcohol Fast Bacilli (AAFB), while the remaining 29 patients had positive smear. The association between low CD4 count and negative smear was statistically significant (P value <0.05). Conclusion. The radiographic pattern and the result of the sputum smear for AAFB has a significant relationship and association with the immune status of patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) complicated by pulmonary tuberculosis.

HIV-related pneumococcal lung disease: does highly active antiretroviral therapy or bacteremia modify radiologic appearance?

We reviewed chest radiographs of 57 HIV-infected patients with pulmonary diseases in whom Streptococcus pneumoniae was the sole respiratory pathogen isolated to evaluate whether highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) or bacteremia modify radiographic appearance. Pneumococcal lung disease presented as lobar pneumonia in 40% of the cases, 54% of whom were on HAART; as bronchopneumonia in 42%, 58% on HAART; as interstitial infiltrates in 17%, 60% on HAART. Bacteremia was observed 38 times in 23 patients with CD4 less than 200/mm(3), and in 15 with CD4 greater than 200/mm(3) (p > 0.05). HAART does not significantly influences radiographic appearances of lung disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (p > 0.05). Immunosuppression induced by HIV infection was a major risk factor for development of pneumococcal lung disease (p = 0.04) and influences radiographic appearance; bronchopneumonia (p = 0.006), in particular multifocal (p = 0.008), which was more frequent in subjects with CD4 less than 200/mm(3). Bacteremia influences radiographic appearance of pneumococcal lung disease; lobar pneumonia was more frequent (p = 0.003), and considering CD4 cell count, was more frequent if CD4 cell count was above 200/mm(3). An original finding of this study was the frequency of interstitial changes. This pattern of pneumonia, found in 17% of our patients, could represent a difference between HIV-seropositive and -seronegative subject in displaying pneumococcal lung disease.

Diferenças na apresentação clínico-radiológica da tuberculose intratorácica segundo a presença ou não de infecção por HIV

OBJETIVO: Descrever as diferenças na apresentação clínico-radiológica da tuberculose segundo a presença ou não de infecção por HIV. MÉTODOS: Examinou-se uma amostra consecutiva de 231 adultos com tuberculose pulmonar bacilífera internados em hospital de tisiologia. A presença de infecção por HIV, AIDS e fatores associados foi avaliada e as radiografias de tórax foram reinterpretadas. RESULTADOS: Havia 113 pacientes HIV-positivos (49%). Estes pacientes apresentavam maior freqüência de tuberculose pulmonar atípica (lesões pulmonares associadas a linfonodomegalias intratorácicas), tuberculose de disseminação hemática e tuberculose pulmonar associada a linfonodomegalias superficiais e menor freqüência de lesões pulmonares escavadas do que os pacientes HIV-negativos. Isto também ocorreu entre os pacientes HIV-positivos com AIDS e os HIV-positivos sem AIDS. Não se observaram diferenças entre os pacientes HIV-positivos sem AIDS e os HIV-negativos. Os valores medianos de CD4 foram menores nos pacientes HIV-positivos com linfonodomegalias intratorácicas e lesões pulmonares em comparação aos com lesões pulmonares exclusivas (47 vs. 266 células/mm³; p < 0,0001), nos pacientes HIV-positivos com AIDS em comparação aos HIV-positivos sem AIDS (136 vs. 398 células/mm³; p < 0,0001) e nos pacientes com tuberculose pulmonar atípica em comparação aos com outros tipos de tuberculose (31 vs. 258 células/mm³; p < 0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Há um predomínio de formas atípicas e doença disseminada entre pacientes com imunossupressão avançada. Em locais com alta prevalência de tuberculose, a presença de tuberculose pulmonar atípica ou de tuberculose pulmonar associada a linfonodomegalias superficiais é definidora de AIDS.

The radiology of IRIS (immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome) in patients with mycobacterial tuberculosis and HIV co-infection: appearances in 11 patients

AIM

To determine the radiological manifestations of IRIS (immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome) in patients with HIV and mycobacterium tuberculosis co-infection, in the context of their demographic and clinical data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The radiological imaging, demographic and clinical data of 11 patients diagnosed with IRIS associated with HIV and mycobacterial tuberculosis co-infection were studied retrospectively. Where available, follow-up imaging studies were also reviewed.

RESULTS

The most common radiological feature of IRIS was lymph node enlargement (73%), with central low attenuation centres, in keeping with necrosis, present in most of these cases (88%). Most commonly affected were intra-abdominal nodes (70%), followed by axillary (40%) and mediastinal lymph nodes (36%). Within the lung parenchyma, diffuse, bilateral pulmonary nodules were seen in 55% of cases. Unilateral small volume pleural effusions were seen in two cases with associated parenchymal changes seen in only one. Small volume ascites was seen in two cases. Thirty-six percent of cases presented with new or worsening abscesses despite treatment. In this context, image-guided radiological drainage proved a useful adjunct to the conventional medical therapy for IRIS. The most common clinical signs of IRIS included fever (64%), abdominal pain (36%) and cough (27%).

CONCLUSION

We have described the radiological features that are characteristic in IRIS and the importance of putting these into context with the clinical and pathological findings as part of a multidisciplinary approach in making the diagnosis. The role of the radiologist is central in diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression and management of complications in patients with IRIS.

How effectively does HAART restore immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis? Implications for tuberculosis control

Use of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) has had a major impact on HIV-associated morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. Access to HAART is now expanding in low-income countries where tuberculosis (TB) is the most important opportunistic disease. The incidence of TB has been fueled by the HIV epidemic and in many countries with high HIV prevalence current TB control measures are failing. HAART reduces the incidence of TB in treated cohorts by approximately 80% and therefore potentially has an important role in TB control in such countries. However, despite the huge beneficial effect of HAART, rates of TB among treated patients nevertheless remain persistently higher than among HIV-negative individuals. This observation raises the important question as to whether immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) are completely or only partially restored during HAART. Current data suggest that full restoration of circulating CD4 cell numbers occurs only among a minority of patients and that, even among these, phenotypic abnormalities and functional defects in lymphocyte subsets often persist. Suboptimal restoration of MTB-specific immune responses may greatly reduce the extent to which HAART is able to contribute to TB control at the community level because patients receiving HAART live much longer and yet would maintain a chronically heightened risk of TB.

Cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis HIV-related

INTRODUCTION

It was usually assumed that pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in HIV-seropositive patients represents reactivation TB, despite the radiographic appearance frequently consistent rather with a recent disease. Hence, these radiographic features were considered "atypical". We have hypothesised that the so called "atypical" radiographic features could be due to a greater proportion of primary TB among these patients, representing the typical appearance of primary radiological pattern.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We reviewed chest imaging of 219 HIV+ patients with microbiological proven pulmonary tuberculosis, who were assessed for the presence, number, distribution of cavitations and for associated pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities, adenopathies and pleural effusion, and were classified as a primary or post-primary pattern.

RESULTS

The patients with post-primary pattern were 50%, and the rate of cavitation was 63%, not wandering off the general population. Cavities still occurred with similar proportion in groups with CD4 <200 or >200cells/mm(3).

CONCLUSION

We suggest that HIV-related pulmonary tuberculosis is typical in its radiological appearances, consistent with those of the general population, and this could be confirmed by the most recent molecular epidemiological techniques that allow to definitely classify the tuberculosis episodes as either primary or post-primary disease.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in HIV-infected patients with mycobacterial infections starting highly active anti-retroviral therapy

AIM

To describe the radiological appearances of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with mycobacterial infections starting highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five consecutive HIV infected patients with IRIS due to mycobacterial infection were studied. Intercurrent infection and poor drug compliance were excluded as causes of presentation. The chest radiological appearances at the time of starting HAART and at the time of diagnosis of IRIS were compared.

RESULTS

In these five patients there was clinical and radiological deterioration, occurring between 10 days and 7 months after starting HAART, leading to unmasking of previously undiagnosed mycobacterial infection or to worsening of mycobacterial disease. All five patients had HAART-induced increases in CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and reductions in peripheral blood HIV "viral load". Chest radiographic abnormalities due to IRIS included marked mediastinal lymphadenopathy in three patients-severe enough to produce tracheal compression in two patients (one of whom had stridor)-and was associated with new pulmonary infiltrates in two patients. The other two patients had new infiltrates, which in one patient was associated with a pleural effusion.

CONCLUSION

These cases illustrate the diverse chest radiographic appearances of IRIS occurring after HAART in patients with mycobacterial and HIV co-infection. Marked mediastinal lymphadenopathy occurred in three of these five patients (with associated tracheal narrowing in two patients); four patients developed pulmonary infiltrates and one had an effusion. The cases further highlight that the onset of IRIS may be delayed for several months after HAART is started.