Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus-III (HTLV-III) Seropositivity and Related Disease Among 71 Consecutive Patients in Whom Tuberculosis was Diagnosed

The incidence of tuberculosis has recently risen in Southeast Florida. In order to determine the number and proportion of tuberculosis cases and the characteristics of tuberculosis that might be related to human T-cell lymphotrophic virus-III (HTLV-III) infection, all patients seen by the Dade County Florida Public Health Department-Tuberculosis Clinic during a 6-month period were medically evaluated and screened for HTLV-III antibody by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of 71 consecutive patients confirmed to have tuberculosis (70 by culture) during the study period, 22 (31%) were seropositive and 49 (69%) were seronegative for HTLV-III antibody. The seropositive group had a significantly higher proportion of patients who were black, Haitian, and within the age group of 25 to 44 yr. The seropositive group also had a significantly higher rate of mild-to-moderate serum aspartate transaminase elevations (less than or equal to 5 times normal), tuberculin skin test false negativity, extrapulmonary tuberculosis (especially lymphatic), and pulmonary tuberculosis with an atypical radiographic picture. The seropositive group had a significantly lower proportion of patients with sputum cultures positive for M. tuberculosis. There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to the proportion of patients with positive sputum smears when sputum cultures were positive, serious antituberculosis drug reactions (requiring discontinuation of therapy), or percent of home contacts who were tuberculin skin tested and found to be positive. At the time of the diagnosis of tuberculosis, only 6 (27%) of the seropositive patients with tuberculosis had clinical evidence of AIDS or AIDS-related complex (unexplained thrush).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)