Authors: D.Y. Kunimoto¹; L. Chui²; E. Nobert³; S. Houston³

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 3, Number 10, October 1999 , pp. 944-947(4)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) suppresses viral replication and improves immune function. However the inflammatory component of immune restoration can have clinically deleterious effects on previously asymptomatic infections. We report the development of acute respiratory failure in a patient after the institution of HAART, following 2 months of appropriate therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis. Necrotizing granulomas with acid-fast bacilli were found on lung biopsy, but cultures were negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and no other pathogens were isolated. Polymerase chain reaction of lung biopsy tissue for all mycobacterial species was positive only for M. tuberculosis. Rapid clinical improvement followed corticosteroid therapy. After initiating HAART, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of an inflammatory response to a previously quiescent tuberculous infection, even while on antituberculosis therapy.

Keywords: tuberculosis; drug therapy; HIV; anti-HIV agents

Document Type: Short communication

Affiliations: 1: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada 2: Provincial Laboratory of Northern Alberta, Alberta, Canada 3: Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Publication date: 1999-10-01

More about this publication?

• The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease publishes articles on all aspects of lung health, including public health-related issues such as training programmes, cost-benefit analysis, legislation, epidemiology, intervention studies and health systems research. The IJTLD is dedicated to the continuing education of physicians and health personnel and the dissemination of information on tuberculosis and lung health world-wide.

  Certain IJTLD articles are selected for translation into French, Spanish, Chinese or Russian. They are available on the Union website

• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Internal Medicine
• By this author: D.Y. Kunimoto ;  L. Chui ;  E. Nobert ;  S. Houston

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers