Progress in the Prevention and Treatment of AIDS Associated with Tuberculosis
AbstractEpidemiological studies have shown that infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an influential risk factor for infection withMycobacterium tuberculosis(MTb), the rapid progression of the initial infection to active tuberculosis (TB), and the reactivation of latent TB infection. MTb infection is also one of the most common opportunistic infections in people with HIV, including AIDS patients receiving anti-retroviral therapy. Given the prevalence of HIV infection, the incidence of TB infection, which had begun to decline, is facing a severe situation. HIV associated with TB exerts an immense burden on the public health-care system, especially in countries with high incidences of HIV infection. Therefore, the global policies for the prevention and control of TB should be revised. Moreover, an increased investment in TB control has to be guaranteed. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent progress in the prevention, treatment, and control of HIV and TB co-infection.