[Disease caused by Mycobacterium kansasii in patients with HIV infection].

Background: To describe the clinical features and response to therapy in Mycobacterium kansasii disease among HIV infected patients, an increasing problem in our setting.

Methods: A retrospective survey of all charts from patients with HIV infection with Mycobacterium kansasii infection recorded between April 1985 and December 1991.

Results: A total of 13 patients were identified. All of them had clinically significant respiratory tract samples with a definite M. kansasii isolation. Only three had disseminated disease. In all but two cases, CD4 cell count at diagnosis time was lower than 200/mm3. Chest X-ray films showed interstitial pattern (8 cases) or alveolar condensation (3 cases) and lung cavities were seen in 4 patients. All patients with lung disease and one with disseminated disease responded well to anti-tuberculous therapy.

Conclusion: Mycobacterium kansasii produces disease in advances stages of HIV-induced immunosuppression. The most common primary location is pulmonary, but disseminated forms can also be seen. The infection can be controlled with standard anti-tuberculous therapy.