CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES OF LYMPHADENOPATHY IN HIV AND TUBERCULOSIS COMORBIDITY

Abstract

Background: The concurrent occurrence of HIV infection and tuberculosis (TB) constitutes a critical global health challenge, particularly in Central Asian regions with rising seroprevalence. Lymphadenopathy—both peripheral and intrathoracic—is among the most prevalent and diagnostically demanding manifestations in this comorbid setting. Objective: To characterize the clinical and diagnostic features of lymphadenopathy in patients with HIV/TB comorbidity and assess their correlation with CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts. Methods: Clinical data, laboratory findings, imaging studies, and biopsy results from patients with concurrent HIV/TB were systematically reviewed. Results: Lymphadenopathy in HIV/TB patients presents atypically, with marked tendency toward caseous necrosis, generalization, and coalescence. Diagnostic accuracy is significantly impaired at CD4+ counts below 200 cells/μL. GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay and CT-guided biopsy substantially improved detection rates. Conclusion: Integrated multimodal diagnostic algorithms are essential for early, accurate identification of lymphadenopathy in HIV/TB comorbid patients.