Abstract:
Tuberculosis remains a major global health concern, especially in the context of emerging drug-resistant strains and the
high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Understanding the pathomorphologic changes associated with DRTB and its coinfection
with HIV/AIDS is crucial for designing effective diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic interventions. The objectives of
this study were to assess the pathomorphologic changes, investigate lung function and blood circulation, and explore risk
factors and clinical predictors associated with cor pulmonale in patients with DRTB and DRTB/HIV/AIDS co-infections.
The study included 72 patients, with 28 having isolated DRTB and 44 having DRTB/HIV/AIDS co-infections. Microscopic
examination of lung tissue samples from isolated DRTB patients revealed fibrous and productive changes with inflammatory
infiltration. Histological examination of the myocardium in these patients showed hypertrophy and diffuse cardiosclerosis.
Patients with DRTB/HIV/AIDS co-infections exhibited extensive destructive changes in lung tissue, along with dystrophy of
cardiomyocytes and focal lymphohistiocytic infiltration in the myocardium. The frequency of cor pulmonale formation was
significantly higher in the co-infection group (22.7%) compared to the isolated DRTB group (10.7%). Histological samples
suggested that co-infection with HIV/AIDS exacerbates myocardial damage caused by DRTB. This research demonstrates
the distinct pathomorphologic changes observed in the lung tissue and myocardium of patients with isolated DRTB and
DRTB/HIV/AIDS co-infections. The study findings support the association between co-infection and increased risk of cor
pulmonale development. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these differences will help identify potential therapeutic
targets to mitigate myocardial damage in patients with DRTB and its co-infection.
