CD4 count levels and pattern of respiratory complications in HIV seropositive patients in Calabar, Nigeria.

A prospective observational study was carried out to describe the pattern of pulmonary complications in hospitalized patients with Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV) infection at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar between January 2005 to December 2006. One hundred and twenty-four patients which consists 60 males and 64 females, aged between 20-60 who met the inclusion criteria formed the subjects for the study. The mean age of the subjects was 34.60 +/-1.2 years. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain the demographic data, clinical information and CD4 lymphocyte count. Radiological analysis of chest was done with the chest X-ray of each subject. Chronic productive cough topped the list of respiratory symptoms (89%) followed by chest pain (74%) and dyspnea (62 %). Lung consolidation was the commonest respiratory sign as seen in 44 % of the cases. Hilar lymphadenopathy was seen in (35 %), Pleural effusion (32%), lung fibrosis (21%) and finger clubbing (15%). The clinical and radiological pattern of most patients with chronic cough was highly suggestive of mycobacterial infection such as tuberculosis, although only 40% of cases had positive acid fast bacilli. The mean CD4 lymphocyte count level was 174.8 +/- 5.4 cells/microlitre and this may be responsible for the respiratory findings as opportunistic lung infections are said to be commoner at CD4 count levels below 200 cells/microlitre. However, four patients had mediasternal masses which may suggest neoplasms. Concerted efforts and continuous evaluation of these patients are needed to determine the spectrum of respiratory illnesses among HIV positive patients in Calabar.