Introduction: Spontaneous pneumothorax is a rare but serious complication of tuberculosis. Miliary tuberculosis (MT) is a severe form of tuberculosis secondary to hematogenous spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Obj...Introduction: Spontaneous pneumothorax is a rare but serious complication of tuberculosis. Miliary tuberculosis (MT) is a severe form of tuberculosis secondary to hematogenous spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Objective: To report a case of MT complicated by pneumothorax. Methodology: This was a 25-year-old patient, farmer, followed up at the Pneumo-phtisiology department of the CHU du Point G for MT whose condition was improving after the introduction of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. He consulted again after experiencing chest pain. Clinical and imaging revealed a Spontaneous pneumothorax complicating MT. The treatment combined anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, chest drainage and respiratory physiotherapy. Outcome was favorable with improvement of clinical and radiological signs. Conclusion: Pneumothorax complicating MT requires a reflective diagnostic approach and rapid management to improve its prognosis.展开更多
Introduction: Pleural effusion (PF) is a common clinical presentation in several diseases. Tuberculosis is one of the most frequent causes of exudative pleural effusions in immunocompetent patients. Tuberculosis is th...Introduction: Pleural effusion (PF) is a common clinical presentation in several diseases. Tuberculosis is one of the most frequent causes of exudative pleural effusions in immunocompetent patients. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality from an infectious disease in developing countries. Pakistan is ranked fifth in the world in terms of tuberculosis high-burden countries. Various pleural fluid parameters have been used to identify the cause of pleural effusion. It has been discovered that tuberculous pleural effusions had a greater alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentration than transudative effusions. This study used pleural fluid alkaline phosphatase levels to distinguish between tuberculous pleural effusion and malignant pleural effusion because there is little information from tuberculosis-high burden nations like Pakistan. Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center in Karachi between October 2016 and October 2017. Material and Methods: The study comprised all patients who were admitted to the department of chest medicine at Jinnah post graduate medical centre (JPMC) of either gender between the ages of 18 and 70 who had exudative lymphocytic pleural effusions lasting two weeks or more included in the study. Non probability consecutive sampling was used to collect data. Patients who have tonsillitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or a history of hemoptysis, Bleeding disorders like, platelet function disorder, thrombocytopenia, Liver cirrhosis and Pregnant women were excluded. Parents’ informed consent was obtained after being informed of the study’s protocol, hazards, and advantages. Each patient had their level of pleural fluid alkaline phosphate (PALP) assessed. In order to evaluate the patient’s pleural effusion, a pre-made questionnaire was used. All the collected data were entered into the SPSS 20. An independent sample t-test was used to recognize alkaline phosphate levels association with pleural fluid secondary to tuberculosis or malignancy. Results: In this Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study, the total of 156 patients with age Mean ± SD of was 41.96 ± 17.05 years. The majority of patients 110 (70.5%) were male and 46 (29.5%) were female. Advanced age was associated with raised pleural fluid alkaline phosphatase. The difference of pleural fluid alkaline phosphate level between tuberculous v/s malignant group was found to be (38.03 ± 45.97) v/s (82.77 ± 61.80) respectively with P-value (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Malignant pleural effusions had elevated PALP when compared to tuberculous pleural effusions in exudative lymphocytic pleural effusions;better differences are seen in older ages and shorter disease durations.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatobiliary tuberculosis is a challenging disease that poses diagnostic difficulties due to its resemblance to other etiologies.Delayed diagnosis may lead to inadequate treatment,thus necessitating an urg...BACKGROUND Hepatobiliary tuberculosis is a challenging disease that poses diagnostic difficulties due to its resemblance to other etiologies.Delayed diagnosis may lead to inadequate treatment,thus necessitating an urgent need for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.AIM To systematically review case reports on hepatobiliary tuberculosis,focusing on symptomatology,diagnostic procedures,management,and outcomes to provide patient safety and ensure an uneventful recovery.METHODS A systematic search was conducted on PubMed from 1992 to 2022,using keywords such as hepatobiliary,liver,tuberculosis cholangitis,cholangiopathy,and mycobacterium.Only case reports or case series in English were included in the study,and research papers published as abstracts were excluded.The search yielded a total of 132 cases,which were further narrowed down to 17 case studies,consisting of 24 cases of hepatobiliary tuberculosis.RESULTS The 10 most common symptoms observed in these cases were fever,abdominal pain,weight loss,jaundice,anorexia,generalized weakness,pruritus,chills,fatigue,and chest pains.Objective findings in these cases included hepatomegaly,hepatic nodules,elevated liver enzymes,and elevated bilirubin.Computed tomography scan and ultrasound of the abdomen were the most useful diagnostic tools reported.Histologic demonstration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis confirmed the cases of hepatobiliary tuberculosis.Treatment regimens commonly used included Rifampicin,Isoniazid,Pyrazinamide,and Ethambutol.Out of the 24 cases,18 presented improvements while 4 had completely recovered.CONCLUSION Hepatobiliary tuberculosis is a disease that requires accurate diagnosis and appropriate management to avoid complications.展开更多
Objective To explore the risk factors related to death in patients with tuberculosis complicated with sepsis in an intensive care unit,in order to provide reference for the clinical treatment of patients with tubercul...Objective To explore the risk factors related to death in patients with tuberculosis complicated with sepsis in an intensive care unit,in order to provide reference for the clinical treatment of patients with tuberculosis complicated with sepsis.Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted to collect the general clinical data of 384 patients with tuberculosis complicated with sepsis in intensive care unit of Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from March 2020 to November 2022.展开更多
Objective To investigate the effects of different cytokines (IL-22,IL-17,IFN-γ) on proliferation and apoptosis of human pleural mesothelial cells (PMC) during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.Methods
Objective To compare the diagnostic performance of interferon gamma releasing assays(T-SPOT.TB)and adenosine deaminase(ADA)in pleural tuberculosis,and therefore to evaluate the value of T-SPOT.TB in a high tuberculosi...Objective To compare the diagnostic performance of interferon gamma releasing assays(T-SPOT.TB)and adenosine deaminase(ADA)in pleural tuberculosis,and therefore to evaluate the value of T-SPOT.TB in a high tuberculosis burden country.Methods From June 2011to November 2012,111 patients with pleural fluid in Beijing Chest Hospital,Capital Medical University展开更多
Objective To compare the immune responses of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb)-specific T lymphocy between the peripheral blood and pleural effusion in patients with tuberculous pleurisy.Methods Twelve initially treate...Objective To compare the immune responses of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb)-specific T lymphocy between the peripheral blood and pleural effusion in patients with tuberculous pleurisy.Methods Twelve initially treated cases of tuberculous pleurisy who were hospitalized in Wuxi No.5 People’s Hospital from Oct 2012 to Apr展开更多
Objective To study the CT characteristics of coexisting pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer. Methods One hundred and four patients of coexisting pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer proved by histology,cytology o...Objective To study the CT characteristics of coexisting pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer. Methods One hundred and four patients of coexisting pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer proved by histology,cytology or clinical underwent CT examination. All patients were divided into two groups。展开更多
Acute pancreatitis in its severe form is complicated by multiple organ system dysfunction, most importantly by pulmonary complications which include hypoxia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, atelectasis, and pleur...Acute pancreatitis in its severe form is complicated by multiple organ system dysfunction, most importantly by pulmonary complications which include hypoxia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, atelectasis, and pleural effusion. The pathogenesis of some of the above complications is attributed to the production of noxious cytokines. Clinically significant is the early onset of pleural effusion, which heralds a poor outcome of acute pancreatitis. The role of circulating trypsin, phospholipase A2, platelet activating factor, release of free fatty acids, chemoattractants such as tumor necrsosis factor （TNF）- alpha, interleukin （IL）-1, IL-6, IL-8, fMet-leu-phe （a bacterial wall product）, nitric oxide, substance P, and macrophage inhlbitor factor is currently studied. The hope is that future management of acute pancreatitis with a better understanding of the pathogenesis of lung injury will be directed against the production of noxious cytokines.展开更多
BACKGROUND: In spite of accurate selection of patients eligible for resection, and although advances in surgical techniques and perioperative management have greatly contributed to reducing the rate of perioperative d...BACKGROUND: In spite of accurate selection of patients eligible for resection, and although advances in surgical techniques and perioperative management have greatly contributed to reducing the rate of perioperative deaths, stress must be placed on reducing the postoperative complication rates reported to be still as high as 50%. This study was designed to analyze the causes and foreseeable risk factors linked to postoperative morbidity on the grounds of data derived from a single-center surgical population. METHODS: From September 1989 to March 2005, 287 consecutive patients, affected either with HCC or liver metastasis, had liver resection at our department. Among the HCC series we recorded 98 patients (73.2%) in Child- Pugh class A, 32 (23.8%) in class B and 4 in class C (3%). In 104 colorectal metastases, 71% were due to colon cancer, 25% rectal, 3% sigmoid, and 1% anorectal. In 49 non-colorectal metastases, 22.4% were derived from breast cancer, 63.2% gastrointestinal tumors (excluding colon) and 14.4% other cancers. We performed 80 wedge resections, 77 bisegmentectomies and/or left lobectomies, 74 segmentectomies, 22 major hepatectomies, 20 left hepatectomies, and 14 trisegmentectomies. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate in this series was 4.5%, and the morbidity rate was 47.7%, because of pleural effusion (30%), hepatic abscess (25%), hepatic insufficiency (19%), ascites (10%), hemoperitoneum (10%), or biliary fistula (6%). The variables associated with the technical aspects of the surgical procedure thatwere responsible for the complications were: a Pringle maneuver length more than 20 minutes (P=0.001); the type of liver resection procedure, including major hepatectomy (P=0.02), left hepatectomy (P=0.04), trisegmentectomy (P=0.04), bisegmentectomy and/or left lobectomy (P=0,04); and a blood transfusion of more than 600 ml (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: The evaluation of causes and foreseeable risk factors linked to postoperative morbidity during the planning of surgical treatment should play the same role as other factors weighed in the selection of patients eligible for liver resection.展开更多
目的探讨新生儿经外周静脉置入中心静脉导管(PICC)并发胸腔积液的临床特点、病因及防治措施,为临床诊治PICC相关新生儿胸腔积液提供依据。方法回顾2例新生儿PICC置管并发胸腔积液的临床资料,并以关键词“经外周静脉置入中心静脉导管”...目的探讨新生儿经外周静脉置入中心静脉导管(PICC)并发胸腔积液的临床特点、病因及防治措施,为临床诊治PICC相关新生儿胸腔积液提供依据。方法回顾2例新生儿PICC置管并发胸腔积液的临床资料,并以关键词“经外周静脉置入中心静脉导管”“胸腔积液”“PICC并发症”“peripherally inserted central catheter”“neonatal”“pleural effusion”“PICC complications”搜索中国知网(CNKI)、中华医学期刊全文数据库、PubMed、Web of science、Embase等数据库,检索2010年1月至2023年6月收录的文献。总结新生儿PICC相关胸腔积液的临床特点、治疗及预后。结果2例患儿均在PICC置管情况下突发呼吸困难,影像学检查及胸腔穿刺证实为PICC导管渗出性胸腔积液发生,通过立即拔除PICC导管以及行胸腔穿刺,胸腔积液吸收,经积极治疗后均治愈出院,预后良好。纳入文献16篇,总计53例患儿进行分析。53例患儿均为早产儿,除1例出生体重不详外,其余52例患儿均为低出生体重儿,其中极低出生体重儿44例,比例约80.2%,超低出生体重儿占比约11.3%。除1例未具体说明置管穿刺点外,其余52例患儿中,选择经上肢静脉置比例94.2%,下肢为3.8%。除8例未具体说明导管尖端位置外,其余病例中80%发生异位,以远心端方向异位居多,占比77.8%。结论新生儿PICC可并发胸腔积液,临床需引起重视并及时防范,正确处理,一般预后良好。展开更多
Back ground: Pleural effusion is a common clinical problem with different causes. Objective: To demonstrate clinical features and outcome of pleural effusion. Methods: Prospective descriptive study was conducted invol...Back ground: Pleural effusion is a common clinical problem with different causes. Objective: To demonstrate clinical features and outcome of pleural effusion. Methods: Prospective descriptive study was conducted involving 110 patients with pleural effusion admitted to a resource limited hospital in Ethiopia. Results: Males and females were almost equally represented. Cough, fever and weight loss were prominent presenting symptoms accounting 90, 77.3 and 77.3 percent respectively. Right side effusion was the common presentation 50 (45.5%). Forty (37.4%) patients had HIV infection among 107 tested. Tuberculosis was the commonest cause 78 (70.9%) followed by parapneumonic effusion 36 (32.7%) and empyema 27 (24.5%). Malignant pleural effusion was detected only in one patient. Eighty one (73.6%) improved from their illness and 7 (6.4%) died. Lympocytic pleural effusion found to be associated with tuberculosis (OR = 3.942 (1.527 - 10.179), P = 0.005. There were no associations between HIV infection, anemia, elevated ESR and side of pleural effusion with tuberculosis. Conclusion: Tuberculosis was the leading cause of pleural effusion in our setup even though etiologic diagnosis was difficult. Strengthening the laboratory and pathology services in the area is strongly recommended.展开更多
文摘Introduction: Spontaneous pneumothorax is a rare but serious complication of tuberculosis. Miliary tuberculosis (MT) is a severe form of tuberculosis secondary to hematogenous spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Objective: To report a case of MT complicated by pneumothorax. Methodology: This was a 25-year-old patient, farmer, followed up at the Pneumo-phtisiology department of the CHU du Point G for MT whose condition was improving after the introduction of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. He consulted again after experiencing chest pain. Clinical and imaging revealed a Spontaneous pneumothorax complicating MT. The treatment combined anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, chest drainage and respiratory physiotherapy. Outcome was favorable with improvement of clinical and radiological signs. Conclusion: Pneumothorax complicating MT requires a reflective diagnostic approach and rapid management to improve its prognosis.
文摘Introduction: Pleural effusion (PF) is a common clinical presentation in several diseases. Tuberculosis is one of the most frequent causes of exudative pleural effusions in immunocompetent patients. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality from an infectious disease in developing countries. Pakistan is ranked fifth in the world in terms of tuberculosis high-burden countries. Various pleural fluid parameters have been used to identify the cause of pleural effusion. It has been discovered that tuberculous pleural effusions had a greater alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentration than transudative effusions. This study used pleural fluid alkaline phosphatase levels to distinguish between tuberculous pleural effusion and malignant pleural effusion because there is little information from tuberculosis-high burden nations like Pakistan. Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center in Karachi between October 2016 and October 2017. Material and Methods: The study comprised all patients who were admitted to the department of chest medicine at Jinnah post graduate medical centre (JPMC) of either gender between the ages of 18 and 70 who had exudative lymphocytic pleural effusions lasting two weeks or more included in the study. Non probability consecutive sampling was used to collect data. Patients who have tonsillitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or a history of hemoptysis, Bleeding disorders like, platelet function disorder, thrombocytopenia, Liver cirrhosis and Pregnant women were excluded. Parents’ informed consent was obtained after being informed of the study’s protocol, hazards, and advantages. Each patient had their level of pleural fluid alkaline phosphate (PALP) assessed. In order to evaluate the patient’s pleural effusion, a pre-made questionnaire was used. All the collected data were entered into the SPSS 20. An independent sample t-test was used to recognize alkaline phosphate levels association with pleural fluid secondary to tuberculosis or malignancy. Results: In this Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study, the total of 156 patients with age Mean ± SD of was 41.96 ± 17.05 years. The majority of patients 110 (70.5%) were male and 46 (29.5%) were female. Advanced age was associated with raised pleural fluid alkaline phosphatase. The difference of pleural fluid alkaline phosphate level between tuberculous v/s malignant group was found to be (38.03 ± 45.97) v/s (82.77 ± 61.80) respectively with P-value (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Malignant pleural effusions had elevated PALP when compared to tuberculous pleural effusions in exudative lymphocytic pleural effusions;better differences are seen in older ages and shorter disease durations.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatobiliary tuberculosis is a challenging disease that poses diagnostic difficulties due to its resemblance to other etiologies.Delayed diagnosis may lead to inadequate treatment,thus necessitating an urgent need for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.AIM To systematically review case reports on hepatobiliary tuberculosis,focusing on symptomatology,diagnostic procedures,management,and outcomes to provide patient safety and ensure an uneventful recovery.METHODS A systematic search was conducted on PubMed from 1992 to 2022,using keywords such as hepatobiliary,liver,tuberculosis cholangitis,cholangiopathy,and mycobacterium.Only case reports or case series in English were included in the study,and research papers published as abstracts were excluded.The search yielded a total of 132 cases,which were further narrowed down to 17 case studies,consisting of 24 cases of hepatobiliary tuberculosis.RESULTS The 10 most common symptoms observed in these cases were fever,abdominal pain,weight loss,jaundice,anorexia,generalized weakness,pruritus,chills,fatigue,and chest pains.Objective findings in these cases included hepatomegaly,hepatic nodules,elevated liver enzymes,and elevated bilirubin.Computed tomography scan and ultrasound of the abdomen were the most useful diagnostic tools reported.Histologic demonstration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis confirmed the cases of hepatobiliary tuberculosis.Treatment regimens commonly used included Rifampicin,Isoniazid,Pyrazinamide,and Ethambutol.Out of the 24 cases,18 presented improvements while 4 had completely recovered.CONCLUSION Hepatobiliary tuberculosis is a disease that requires accurate diagnosis and appropriate management to avoid complications.
文摘Objective To explore the risk factors related to death in patients with tuberculosis complicated with sepsis in an intensive care unit,in order to provide reference for the clinical treatment of patients with tuberculosis complicated with sepsis.Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted to collect the general clinical data of 384 patients with tuberculosis complicated with sepsis in intensive care unit of Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from March 2020 to November 2022.
文摘Objective To investigate the effects of different cytokines (IL-22,IL-17,IFN-γ) on proliferation and apoptosis of human pleural mesothelial cells (PMC) during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.Methods
文摘Objective To compare the diagnostic performance of interferon gamma releasing assays(T-SPOT.TB)and adenosine deaminase(ADA)in pleural tuberculosis,and therefore to evaluate the value of T-SPOT.TB in a high tuberculosis burden country.Methods From June 2011to November 2012,111 patients with pleural fluid in Beijing Chest Hospital,Capital Medical University
文摘Objective To compare the immune responses of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb)-specific T lymphocy between the peripheral blood and pleural effusion in patients with tuberculous pleurisy.Methods Twelve initially treated cases of tuberculous pleurisy who were hospitalized in Wuxi No.5 People’s Hospital from Oct 2012 to Apr
文摘Objective To study the CT characteristics of coexisting pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer. Methods One hundred and four patients of coexisting pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer proved by histology,cytology or clinical underwent CT examination. All patients were divided into two groups。
文摘Acute pancreatitis in its severe form is complicated by multiple organ system dysfunction, most importantly by pulmonary complications which include hypoxia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, atelectasis, and pleural effusion. The pathogenesis of some of the above complications is attributed to the production of noxious cytokines. Clinically significant is the early onset of pleural effusion, which heralds a poor outcome of acute pancreatitis. The role of circulating trypsin, phospholipase A2, platelet activating factor, release of free fatty acids, chemoattractants such as tumor necrsosis factor （TNF）- alpha, interleukin （IL）-1, IL-6, IL-8, fMet-leu-phe （a bacterial wall product）, nitric oxide, substance P, and macrophage inhlbitor factor is currently studied. The hope is that future management of acute pancreatitis with a better understanding of the pathogenesis of lung injury will be directed against the production of noxious cytokines.
文摘BACKGROUND: In spite of accurate selection of patients eligible for resection, and although advances in surgical techniques and perioperative management have greatly contributed to reducing the rate of perioperative deaths, stress must be placed on reducing the postoperative complication rates reported to be still as high as 50%. This study was designed to analyze the causes and foreseeable risk factors linked to postoperative morbidity on the grounds of data derived from a single-center surgical population. METHODS: From September 1989 to March 2005, 287 consecutive patients, affected either with HCC or liver metastasis, had liver resection at our department. Among the HCC series we recorded 98 patients (73.2%) in Child- Pugh class A, 32 (23.8%) in class B and 4 in class C (3%). In 104 colorectal metastases, 71% were due to colon cancer, 25% rectal, 3% sigmoid, and 1% anorectal. In 49 non-colorectal metastases, 22.4% were derived from breast cancer, 63.2% gastrointestinal tumors (excluding colon) and 14.4% other cancers. We performed 80 wedge resections, 77 bisegmentectomies and/or left lobectomies, 74 segmentectomies, 22 major hepatectomies, 20 left hepatectomies, and 14 trisegmentectomies. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate in this series was 4.5%, and the morbidity rate was 47.7%, because of pleural effusion (30%), hepatic abscess (25%), hepatic insufficiency (19%), ascites (10%), hemoperitoneum (10%), or biliary fistula (6%). The variables associated with the technical aspects of the surgical procedure thatwere responsible for the complications were: a Pringle maneuver length more than 20 minutes (P=0.001); the type of liver resection procedure, including major hepatectomy (P=0.02), left hepatectomy (P=0.04), trisegmentectomy (P=0.04), bisegmentectomy and/or left lobectomy (P=0,04); and a blood transfusion of more than 600 ml (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: The evaluation of causes and foreseeable risk factors linked to postoperative morbidity during the planning of surgical treatment should play the same role as other factors weighed in the selection of patients eligible for liver resection.
文摘目的探讨新生儿经外周静脉置入中心静脉导管(PICC)并发胸腔积液的临床特点、病因及防治措施,为临床诊治PICC相关新生儿胸腔积液提供依据。方法回顾2例新生儿PICC置管并发胸腔积液的临床资料,并以关键词“经外周静脉置入中心静脉导管”“胸腔积液”“PICC并发症”“peripherally inserted central catheter”“neonatal”“pleural effusion”“PICC complications”搜索中国知网(CNKI)、中华医学期刊全文数据库、PubMed、Web of science、Embase等数据库,检索2010年1月至2023年6月收录的文献。总结新生儿PICC相关胸腔积液的临床特点、治疗及预后。结果2例患儿均在PICC置管情况下突发呼吸困难,影像学检查及胸腔穿刺证实为PICC导管渗出性胸腔积液发生,通过立即拔除PICC导管以及行胸腔穿刺,胸腔积液吸收,经积极治疗后均治愈出院,预后良好。纳入文献16篇,总计53例患儿进行分析。53例患儿均为早产儿,除1例出生体重不详外,其余52例患儿均为低出生体重儿,其中极低出生体重儿44例,比例约80.2%,超低出生体重儿占比约11.3%。除1例未具体说明置管穿刺点外,其余52例患儿中,选择经上肢静脉置比例94.2%,下肢为3.8%。除8例未具体说明导管尖端位置外,其余病例中80%发生异位,以远心端方向异位居多,占比77.8%。结论新生儿PICC可并发胸腔积液,临床需引起重视并及时防范,正确处理,一般预后良好。
文摘Back ground: Pleural effusion is a common clinical problem with different causes. Objective: To demonstrate clinical features and outcome of pleural effusion. Methods: Prospective descriptive study was conducted involving 110 patients with pleural effusion admitted to a resource limited hospital in Ethiopia. Results: Males and females were almost equally represented. Cough, fever and weight loss were prominent presenting symptoms accounting 90, 77.3 and 77.3 percent respectively. Right side effusion was the common presentation 50 (45.5%). Forty (37.4%) patients had HIV infection among 107 tested. Tuberculosis was the commonest cause 78 (70.9%) followed by parapneumonic effusion 36 (32.7%) and empyema 27 (24.5%). Malignant pleural effusion was detected only in one patient. Eighty one (73.6%) improved from their illness and 7 (6.4%) died. Lympocytic pleural effusion found to be associated with tuberculosis (OR = 3.942 (1.527 - 10.179), P = 0.005. There were no associations between HIV infection, anemia, elevated ESR and side of pleural effusion with tuberculosis. Conclusion: Tuberculosis was the leading cause of pleural effusion in our setup even though etiologic diagnosis was difficult. Strengthening the laboratory and pathology services in the area is strongly recommended.
