[Tuberculous pleural effusion and HIV infection at the pulmonary disease clinic in Abidjan, Ivory Coast].

Clinical, radiographic, biological, histological and pathological data from thirty HIV-infected patients with tuberculous pleural effusion were prospectively collected at the pulmonary disease clinic at the University teaching hospital of Treichville in Abidjan from April to December 1999. Patients mean age was 35 years, ranging from 16 to 79. The white cell count in the serous effusion pleural fluid was high with predominant lymphocytes. Microscopy examination of the aspirate did not show AFB. The Tuberculin Skin Test remained negative for 16 patients (53%). Multiple pleural biopsies showed typical tuberculous follicles in 19 patients (63%) and a non-typical inflammatory reactions in eleven patients (37%).