[Paradoxical aggravation of tuberculosis after antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients].

Background: Restoration of immunocompetence in HIV-infected patients after antiretroviral treatment can have unexpected effects.

Case Reports: An unusual course of treated tuberculosis was observed in four HIV-infected patients soon after initiation of antiretroviral therapy. These patients developed fever and enlarged necrotic adenopathies despite an efficacious antituberculous therapy. They were in the initial stage of their antituberculous therapy that had been initiated a mean 12 days prior to initiation of antiretroviral therapy. The antiretroviral therapy led to an undetectable HIV load within 2 months.

Discussion: These unusual features, which also occurred with an increase in CD4 cell counts, could be related to the immunological restoration and to the reappearance of delayed type hypersensitivity. The onset of antiretroviral therapy could thus be delayed by several weeks in HIV-infected patients treated for active tuberculosis and who have never received antiretroviral therapy.