Pleural effusion, tuberculosis and HIV-1 infection in Kigali, Rwanda

Abstract

Objective and methods: An increasing number of diagnoses of pleural effusions (PE) have been made over the last 8 years in the Department of Internal Medicine of the Centre Hospitalier de Kigali, Rwanda. In order to determine the aetiology of PE and to examine its possible association with HIV-1 infection, we performed an aetiological work-up, including thoracocentesis and pleural punch biopsy, of all new patients with PE of undetermined aetiology referred to the Division of Pulmonary Diseases of the Department of Internal Medicine of the Centre Hospitalier de Kigali between 14 September 1988 and 16 October 1989. HIV-1 serological testing was performed for most of the patients.

Results: A total of 127 patients (81 men, 46 women; mean age, 34 years; range, 16-71 years) with PE of undetermined aetiology were enrolled. Pleural tuberculosis was diagnosed in 110 (86%) and confirmed histologically and/or bacteriologically in 90 (82%). Of 98 pleural tuberculosis patients tested for HIV-1-antibody, 82 (83%) were HIV-1-seropositive. Metastatic cancer was responsible for PE in six (5%) patients, Kaposi's sarcoma in three, lymphoma in one (all four HIV-1-seropositive), anaplastic carcinoma in one, and adenocarcinoma in one (both HIV-1-seronegative). Non-tuberculous pneumonia was documented in five (4%) patients and was associated with HIV-1 infection in four. Other causes of PE were congestive heart failure (three patients), decompensated cirrhosis (one), constrictive percarditis (one), or undetermined (one); only one of these patients was HIV-1-seropositive.

Conclusions: We conclude that tuberculosis is the predominant cause of PE in our patients and is strongly associated with HIV-1 infection. Although less frequent, non-tuberculous pneumonia, Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphoma are other causes of HIV-1-associated PE. In an African area highly endemic for HIV-1 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis co-infection, PE should be considered a good marker of tuberculosis as well as HIV-1 infection.

PIP: Pleural effusion (PE) has been increasingly diagnosed over the last eight years in the Department of Internal Medicine of the Centre Hospitalier of Kigali, Rwanda. To determine the etiology of PE and to examine its possible association with HIV-1 infection and tuberculosis (TB), the authors performed an etiological work-up, including thoracocentesis and pleural punch biopsy, of all new patients with PE of undetermined etiology referred to the Division of Pulmonary Diseases at the hospital between September 14, 1988, and October 16, 1989. 81 men and 46 women of mean age 34 years were enrolled in the study. Pleural TB was diagnosed in 86% and confirmed histologically and/or bacteriologically in 82%. 82 of the 98 pleural TB patients tested for antibody to HIV-1 were HIV-1-seropositive. Metastatic cancer was responsible for PE in six patients, Kaposi's sarcoma in three, lymphoma in one, anaplastic carcinoma in one, and adenocarcinoma in one. Non-TB pneumonia was documented in five patients and was associated with HIV-1 infection in four. Other causes of PE were congestive heart failure, decompensated cirrhosis, constrictive pericarditis, or undetermined; only one of these latter patients was HIV-seropositive. The authors therefore found TB to be the predominant cause of PE and it is strongly associated with HIV-1 infection. In an African area highly endemic for HIV-1 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis co-infection, PE should therefore be considered a good marker of TB as well as HIV-1 infection.