The prevalence of TB in HIV patients and risk factor with frequent referral (Iran, 2009-10)

Background : HIV infection significantly increases the risk of tuberculosis and this disease is one of the most common opportunistic infections in HIV Patients. Objectives : the aim of this study was to determine of the prevalence of tuberculosis and risk factor among HIV patients. Materials and Methods : in this cross-sectional study, from September 2009 to September 2010, 71 HIV patients who referred to teaching hospital in Tehran, Capital Iran were enrolled. Records of patients that admitted to hospital at least once a year and have positive test for HIV with ELISA and Western Blot were assessed. TB diagnosis testes included clinical finding, chest X-Ray and culture positive sputum. Results : 74.6 % and 38 % of them had prison history and history of addiction respectively, 28.2 % of subjects co- infected with HIV / TB and 40 % of patients were under treatment with anti-retroviral drugs. There was relationship Between TB and CD4 counts below 200 cells per micro-liters (P = 0.003), age (P = 0.000), anti-retroviral drugs (P = 0.001), discharge status (P = 0.004), prison history (P = 0.002) and alcohol and smoking (P = 0.01). Conclusions : the prevalence rate of TB / HIV among intravenous drug abusers and prisoners was high also the prevalence of tuberculosis among HIV patients.