Tuberculosis is one of the commonest opportunistic infection in HIV positive patients, especially in India. It can present in highly atypical manner hence high index of suspicion is essential to correctly diagnose and treat. Opportunistic infections have a definite correlation with CD4 counts in HIV positive patients. In India there are around 1.2 billion people, about half of them are adults in the sexually active age group. First case of AIDS was reported in 1986. The spread of HIV in India has been uneven. HIV epidemics are more severe in the southern half of the country and the far northeast. The highest estimated adult HIV prevalence is found in Manipur (0.78%), followed by Andhra Pradesh (0.76%), Karnataka (0.69%) and Nagaland (0.66%). However for the first time, in 2010 no states reported HIV prevalence among ANC attendees of 1.0%. Based on HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2008-09, it is estimated that 23.9 lakh people are infected with HIV in India, of whom 39% are female and 4.4% are children. The estimates highlight in ABSTRACT Background: HIV-AIDS is considered as a worldwide pandemic with an epicentre in Asia. Lymphadenopathy is the commonest manifestation observed in HIV-AIDS. Although multiple studies have been conducted in western countries, there is need for further studies to evaluate the causes of lymphadenopathy in Indian setting. So the FNAC study of HIV lymphadenopathy and its correlation with CD4 counts was carried out. Methods: Two yrs. observational study was carried out at the Tertiary care centre from Jan 2013 to Dec 2014. All the patients of HIV lymphadenopathy during this period were included in the study. History and clinical details were obtained from medical records. Thorough clinical examination was done in all cases. Thereafter Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), both guided and unguided was performed, as needed. Smears were fixed and stained with H & E stain & special stains, as required. CD4 counts were carried out at the antiretroviral treatment (ART) centre. Results: Out of 64 cases, Tuberculosis (TB) lymphadenitis was the most common lesion with 47.05% cases & its mean CD4 count was 329/ul. There were 4 cases of malignancy; two were that of primary malignancy-lymphoma and other two were metastasis from epithelial malignancies. Conclusions: FNAC is a simple and rapid investigative technique to differentiate and diagnose various causes of lymphadenopathy. TB lymphadenitis is the most common lesion associated with HIV positive patients. CD4 counts correlate well with underlying lymph node pathology, TB lymphadenitis being common in CD4 range of 200-500/ul and HIV associated malignancies seen in CD4 count less than 100/ul.

Background: Diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis is difficult. Tuberculous lymphadenitis is one of the most common extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis.1 Cervical group of lymph nodes are commonly involved.2 Fine needle aspiration cytology can be used easily, safely for specimen collection of these cases. The cytology samples can be used for CBNAAT X-pert assay for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis along with fluoroscence microscopy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate proportion of tuberculous lymphadenitis from FNAC specimens of all lymphadenopathy cases, to study diagnostic utility of CBNAAT X-pert MTB for diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenopathy in patients with lymphadenitis and to correlate cytological findings with CBNAATand fluorescence microscopy results. Methods:The present study was included 45 cases of lymphadenopathy. Detailed history and physical examination was done followed by FNAC . Multiple smears were prepared from each aspirate for routine cytological examination and for evaluation by fluroscence microscopy. The cytology findings were correlated with CBNAATand fluoroscence microscopy results. Results:In the present study female preponderence was noted. Maximum number of cases were in 3rd decade. Tuberculous lymphadenitis was the most common cytological diagnosis found in 51.1 % cases, of which 33.3% were positive on CBNAAT and 20% cases were positive by fluorescence microscopy. Conclusion: The most common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy is tuberculosis. The present study supports combined use of FNAC and CBNAATfor early diagnosis of tuberculosis.