Isolation and Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from AIDS Patients Attending a Rural Hospital in Central India

Aim: To isolate and characterize mycobacterium tuberculosis from clinical samples of AIDS patients. Materials and Methods: This cross -sectional observational study was conducted in department of microbiology, in a rural medical college. The inclusion criteria were adult patient of any sex, HIV seropositive, CD4 counts 200cells/cumm. Complete blood counts and CD4 counts were done. Blood, sputum, stool and other extra-pulmonary samples were processed for mycobacterial isolation. BACTEC 13A medium was used for blood samples while Lowenstein Jensen and BACTEC 12B medium was used for other samples. Smears were examined for all samples other than blood. Identification of the isolates was done by standard techniques. Results: 65% patients were TB symptomatic with cough, fever, breathlessness and loss of weight being significant clinical features. Chest X-rays finding were infiltration and air space consolidation. Cavity was found in only 3% cases. 9 mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were isolated. Mycobacteria were isolated from various samples viz. sputum (8 M. tuberculosis), blood (1 M. tuberculosis). Conclusion: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is commonly isolated in AIDS patients. Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; HIV and TB; AIDS