Fine needle aspiration diagnosis in HIV-related lymphadenopathy in Mangalore, India
Shenoy, R.; Kapadi, S.Nayak.; Pai, K.Pushpalatha.; Kini, H.; Mallya, S.; Khadilkar, U.N.; Prabha, A.
Acta Cytologica 46(1): 35-39
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5547 PMID: 11843556 DOI: 10.1159/000326713Document Number: 245091
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of fine needle aspiration (FNA) study of lymph nodes in HIV-positive patients. STUDY DESIGN: The study was conducted at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India. Samples from lymph nodes of 48 HIV-positive patients were taken and air dried, and wet smears were made. After staining with routine cytologic stains and special stains, detailed cytomorphologic study was conducted. RESULTS: Tuberculosis accounted for nearly half (48%) the cases, followed by HIV lymphadenitis (36%), lymphoma (10%), suppurative lymphadenitis (2%), Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare lymphadenitis (2%) and metastases (2%), in descending order of their frequency. A suppurative picture, which was found in 13% of cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis in AIDS patients, occasionally was misleading without the help of acid fast bacilli stain. CONCLUSION: FNA is a useful tool in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy in HIV-positive patients provided that proper safety measures are taken to avoid contracting the infection.