Acquired broncho-esophageal fistula in HIV-TB co-infection

A BSTRACT HIV-TB Co-infection is increasing in the current scenario. TB is the leading cause of mortality in people living with HIV (PLHIV). HIV-infected persons have approximately an 8-times greater risk of TB than persons without HIV infection. HIV infection increases the risk of reactivation of latent TB infection into progressive primary TB disease and later endogenous reinfection TB disease. Once PLHIV get active TB, due to the deficient cell-mediated immunity, the disease is often disseminated and has unusual presentations. Therefore, though pulmonary TB is still the most common form of active TB in PLHIV, frequent involvement of extrapulmonary organs (often in multiple sites) is seen in PLHIV when compared to the HIV-negative population. Here in our case report of a 26-year male with HIV-TB Co-infection, we are discussing one such rare presentation, i.e. acquired broncho-esophageal fistula. This will ensure primary care physicians suspect such rare manifestations while encountering HIV-TB co-infection.