Short-term and long-term risk of tuberculosis associated with CD4 cell recovery during antiretroviral therapy in South Africa

Abstract

Updated CD4 cell counts were the dominant predictor of TB risk during ART in this low-resource setting. Among those with baseline CD4 cell counts less than 200 cells/microl, the excess adjusted risk of TB during early ART was consistent with 'unmasking' of disease missed at baseline screening. TB incidence rates at CD4 cell counts of 200-500 cells/microl remained high and adjunctive interventions are required. TB prevention would be improved by ART policies that minimized the time patients spend with CD4 cell counts below a threshold of 500 cells/microl.