Provision of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive TB patients - 19 countries, sub-Saharan Africa, 2009-2013
All HIV-positive tuberculosis (TB) patients should receive antiretroviral therapy, which reduces the incidence of HIV-associated TB and reduces mortality among HIV-positive TB patients. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces the incidence of HIV-associated TB disease, and early initiation of ART after the start of TB treatment reduces progression of HIV infection and death among HIV-positive TB patients. In spite of recommendations for all HIV-positive TB patients to receive ART, a high proportion of persons with TB disease and HIV infection who should be on life-saving are not yet receiving treatment.
Provision of ART for all HIV-positive TB patients is needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality of HIV-associated TB and decrease the global burden of TB and HIV.
Article: Provision of Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV-Positive TB Patients - 19 Countries, Sub-Saharan Africa, 2009-2013, E. Kainne Dokubo, MD, et al., Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published 26 November 2014.
