CD4 cell counts recovery in HIV/TB co-infected patients in a tertiary care Hospital

Tuberculosis is a common opportunistic infection and a leading cause of death in HIV patients worldwide, especially in developing countries. The study was conducted to evaluate the relation of CD4 counts to occurrence and type of TB and to observe for the recovery of CD4 counts after treatment for tuberculosis in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis and extra pulmonary tuberculosis. This retrospective study was conducted for a period of 2 months (February 2015March 2015) at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital & PGIMER. Total Number of HIV positive patients that came for CD4 testing were 1187. 80 patients who had dual infection (HIV with tuberculosis) were included in the study. Details regarding age, sex, duration of HIV, ART therapy, type of tuberculosis whether PTB or EPTB and ATT were collected. CD4 counts before initiating ATT and after completion of ATT was collected. So, the prevalence rate of tuberculosis in HIV infected patients was found to be 6.7%. Out of 80 patients, 47 patients had extra pulmonary tuberculosis and 33 had pulmonary tuberculosis. Mean CD4 counts in patients with PTB prior to ATT was 241 cells/ μl ranging from (22-541 cells/ μl). Mean CD4 counts in patients with EPTB prior to ATT was 224 cells/ μl, ranging from (80-600 cells/ μl). Following ATT, it was 322 cells/ μl in PTB patients and 303 cells/ μl in EPTB patients. There was statistically significant increase in CD4 count after ATT in PTB and EPTB.