Tuberculosis and HIV Coinfection: Current State of Knowledge and Research Priorities

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease are the 2 leading causes of infectious disease-associated mortality worldwide. TB and HIV disease have been inextricably bound together from the early years of the HIV/ AIDS epidemic. Their dangerous synergy affects all aspects of each disease from pathogenesis and the epidemiologic profile; to clinical presentation treatment and prevention; to larger issues of social economic and political consequence. It is estimated that infection due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis an ancient pathogen in humans is present in one-third of the worlds population or ~2 billion people. Eight million new cases of active TB have been estimated to occur worldwide annually with more cases seen today than at any previous time in history. It is estimated that 2-3 million people died of TB during the past year. In parallel although HIV is only a recent pathogen of humans it is estimated that 39 million people are currently living with HIV infection and AIDS. During the past year 5 million adults and children were estimated to have been newly infected with HIV and 3 million HIV-infected individuals died. (excerpt)