International Journal of Medical and Health Research

Materials & Methods: It included 110 patients with pleural effusion, having positive AFB in pleural fluid or positive histology of tuberculosis in pleural biopsy.

All were informed regarding the study and written consent was obtained. Ethical clearance was taken from institutional ethical committee. Detailed history, thorough physical examination, radiological findings, Haematological and biochemical findings were recorded. Pleural aspiration and biopsy was performed on all patients. Two pieces of pleural tissue were taken and one piece of each sample of pleural tissue was cultured for mycobacteria and the rest was sent for histological examination.

Results: Out of 110 patients, males were 50 and females were 60. The difference was non- significant (P- 0.1). Out of 110 patients, 2 found positive by ZN stain, 8 by culture of pleural effusion in LJ medium and 4 by culture of biopsy tissue in LJ medium. The difference was non- significant (P>1). Common symptoms were hemoptysis (42), sputum secretions (64), chest pain (76), weight loss (80), loss of appetite (98), night sweats (95), fever (100) and cough (102). The difference was non- significant (P>1). Physical signs were clubbing of fingers (18), fever (58), cachexia (25) and lymphadenopathy (23). The difference was non- significant (P>1). Right side chest was involved in 65 cases, left side in 40 cases and both side in 5 cases. The difference was non- significant (P>1).

Conclusion: Pleural effusion is one of the common complications of primary tuberculosis. Common symptoms are hemoptysis, sputum secretions, chest pain, weight loss, loss of appetite, night sweats, fever and cough.