Immunological and immunomorphological features of bone and joint tuberculosis in HIV infection: CD4+ and CD68+ expression

In HIV-associated bone and joint tuberculosis (HIV+BJT coinfection), disease severity is associated with the degree of immunosuppression. In 47 patients with HIV+BJT, a strong inverse correlation was found between viral load and CD4+ T-lymphocyte count (ρ = −0.72; p < 0.001). Morphological examination revealed incomplete granuloma formation, caseous necrosis, and more pronounced destruction; immunohistochemical examination showed a 2.2–2.5-fold decrease in CD4+ expression and a reduction in the functional activity of CD68+ macrophages.