Radiographic manifestations of Tuberculosis in HIV positive patients: Correlation with CD4+ T-cell count.

Background: Observations on Tuberculosis/HIV co-infection in addition to epidemiologic molecular studies have recently provided strong evidence for the state of immune system as the major determinant of the TB imaging spectrum. However, the presence of any correlation between radiographic findings and the degree of immunosuppression in HIV+ patients still remains controversial. The present study aimed to investigate the TB radiographic manifestation in HIV+ patients and its relationship to the CD4 cell count.

Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis: 2 years of surveillance in Iran.

Background: Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) is a cause of concern, because it renders patients untreatable with available drugs. In this study, we documented the existence and transmission of XDR TB among patients with multidrug-resistant TB. These patients were referred to the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (Tehran, Iran) for treatment and diagnosis from 2003 to 2005.

Increased activation and expansion of a CD57+ subset within peripheral CD8+ T lymphocytes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected patients.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocyte responses restrict the spread of extracellular pathogens by limiting M.tuberculosis replication. Alterations in cytolytic function, inappropriate maturation/differentiation, and limited proliferation could reduce their ability to control M.

Treatment of multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Iran.

Setting: Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Tehran, Iran, 2000-2002.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment for the first time in Iran.

Design: All cases of MDR-TB with complete follow-up data were recruited and results of their treatments were evaluated.