Tuberculosis as a Manifestation of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Abstract

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> Our experience at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta confirms the observation of Sunderam et al¹that infection with<i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>can be a frequent complication of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, we have observed the combination of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and tuberculosis not only among Haitians and intravenous drug abusers but also among American-born homosexual men who do not abuse drugs. <h3>Study.—</h3> In 1985 at Grady Memorial Hospital, mycobacterial cultures were performed on 1536 patients, including 76 patients who met Centers for DiseaseControl criteria for AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC). In the non-AIDS/ARC group, there were 152 (10.4%) patients with positive cultures, with<i>M tuberculosis</i>as the most frequent isolate (87%). Twenty-four (31.6%) of the 76 patients with AIDS/ ARC had positive mycobacterial cultures. Culture isolates included 15<i>M tuberculosis</i>, seven<i>Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare</i>(MAI), one<i>Mycobacterium xenopi</i>, and one rapid grower