ABSTRACT
The coinfection of Tuberculosis and HIV are discussed and the Impact of HIV Infection on the Pathogenesis of Tuberculosis, on the Clinical Course of Tuberculosis, on Tuberculosis Control Programme Treatment of HIV-Related Tuberculosis is reviewed. Tuberculosis remains one of the serious diseases that affect the health as well as the economy of the country. HIV infection has contributed to a significant increase in the worldwide incidence of tuberculosis.
HIV positive patients with tuberculosis respond well to antituberculosis therapy, as long as the regimen contains isoniazid and rifampicin. The treatment of HIV-related tuberculosis requires proper monitoring because of possible drug-drug interactions, frequent drug toxicities, and paradoxical reactions. For HIV-infected persons with CD4 counts less than 100 cells/mm3, daily therapy is prescribed during the initial phase (first 2 months), followed by either daily therapy or thrice a week doses during the continuation phase. Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is common in HIV-infected patients.
The TB epidemic has been a challenge to control due to its coexistence with the HIV epidemic. It creates enormous problems that need to be overcome with great precision. In order to mount a more meaningful response to the co-epidemic, close collaboration needs to develop between the TB and HIV control programmes. The Three I’s [ICF (Intensified case finding for TB), IPT (Isoniazid preventive therapy) and IC(Infection control)] must be viewed as an integral component of prevention, care and treatment services and an essential part of universal access, as indispensable as patient monitoring, antiretroviral is or co-trimoxazole.
Keywords: TB, HIV, Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Antiretroviral, Co-trimoxazole.