Bacteriological techniques compliment the clinical and cytological diagnosis of tuberculosis in human immuno deficiency virus infected persons.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and M. tuberculosis are two intracellular pathogens that interact with each other at both clinical and cellular levels. A known HIV positive case, presentingwith vague pulmonary symptoms followed by bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy, is reported here. The condition was treated as asthma, based on lung symptoms. Cytology revealed acute purulent lymphadenitis. Only Z. N. staining and culture of sputum and lymphnode aspirate could diagnose tuberculosis. Patient responded well to the standard anti tuberculosis treatment.