RISK OF TUBERCULOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH HIV-I AND HIV-II INFECTIONS IN ABIDJAN, IVORY-COAST

Objective - To examine the association between HIV-II infection and tuberculosis. Design - Cross sectional study comparing the prevalence of HIV-I and HIV-II infections in patients with tuberculosis and in blood donors. Setting - Abidjan, Ivory Coast, west Africa. Patients - 2043 consecutive ambulant patients with tuberculosis (confirmed pulmonary, presumed pulmonary, or extrapulmonary) and 2127 volunteer blood donors. Main outcome measure - Prevalence of HIV-I and HIV-II infections as assessed by presence of serum antibodies. Results - Overall rates of HIV infection were 40.2% in patients with tuberculosis (26.4% positive for HIV-I, 4.7% for HIV-II, and 9.0% for both); and 10.4% in blood donors (7.2% positive for HIV-I, 1.9% for HIV-II, and 1.3% for both). HIV-II infection was significantly more common in patients with all types of tuberculosis than in blood donors (97/2043, 4.7% v 40/2127, 1.9%; odds ratio 3.8%, 95% confidence interval 2.6 to 5.6). Conclusion - Both HIV-I and HIV-II infection are associated with tuberculosis in Abidjan. 35% of adult tuberculosis in Abidjan is attributable to HIV infection and 4% specifically to HIV-II.