Prevalence of HIV and TB Co-infection: Mumbai Scenario

Abstract

HIV, being the most powerful risk factor, has made the reappearance and progression of tuberculosis easier. The partnership of HIV and TB is a major health problem in both developed and developing countries. The present study was undertaken in Mumbai to study the prevalence of HIV and TB coinfection in patients who visited the tertiary care centers in the city. Both HIV and TB were diagnosed using nucleic acid amplification technique. Blood samples were collected for the detection of HIV, whereas for TB detection three consecutive days of sputum samples were collected. Statistical analysis was carried out by applying the Chi-square test to determine the prevalence of the HIV and TB coinfection. A total of 1725 suspected patients were screened for both HIV and TB, of which 784 were females and 942 were males. Of the total patients screened, 38.81% were found to be positive for both HIV and TB, among whom 15.8% were females and 23% were males. It was also found that the HIV and TB coinfection was predominant in the age group of 21 to 40 years which was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). TB and HIV have been closely linked with each other creating a deep impact on the global epidemiology of tuberculosis. Incidence of HIV/TB coinfection in India is still progressing though globally there is an overall decline. The referral system concerning care and support mechanism for HIV-TB patients shall be made a two-way system incorporating the responsibility and accountability for treatment completion, and sharing of information on treatment.

Keywords: HIV, TB, coinfection, nucleic acid amplification