Infection Frequently Requires Surgical Intervention in Individuals with HIV.

BACKGROUND

Zoonotic infection with continues to occur, particularly in regions lacking bovine tuberculosis surveillance and where the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, including artisanal cheeses, is common. We describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics, diagnostic procedures, and treatment outcomes of individuals with HIV with infection.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study analyzing sociodemographic, clinical, microbiological, and computed tomography (CT) data, as well as treatment outcomes, in 12 patients with HIV with confirmed infection. These findings were compared with those of 14 individuals with HIV diagnosed with infection during the same period.

RESULTS

Consumption of unpasteurized dairy products was significantly associated with . Patients with infection had higher CD4+ T-cell counts compared to those with infection ( = 0.01, = 0.45). All cases presented with extrapulmonary disease. CT imaging in infection more frequently demonstrated retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and splenic abscesses compared to infection. Microbiological identification was exclusively from extrapulmonary sites in all cases. Surgical interventions, including abscess drainage or splenectomy, were significantly more common among patients.

CONCLUSIONS

infection in individuals with HIV is characterized by consistent extrapulmonary, often abdominal, involvement. Surgical procedures are frequently required for both diagnosis and management. Targeted efforts to identify are warranted, particularly in high-burden regions where unpasteurized dairy consumption remains prevalent.