Tuberculosis and AIDS. Statement on AIDS and tuberculosis. Geneva, March 1989. Global Programme on AIDS and Tuberculosis Programme, World Health Organization, in collaboration with the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.

In a number of developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, infection with both M. tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is highly prevalent. HIV infection results in an impairment of the immune system and entails a substantial risk of TB in those individuals who are or become infected with the tubercle bacillus. Because persons with both infections have an increased risk of developing clinical TB and further transmitting M. tuberculosis infection, some of these countries are facing, or will have to face, a rapid upsurge of the TB problem. The interaction between HIV and M. tuberculosis infection poses a serious health problem which will result in a major increase in disease, death and health care service needs in many countries. Immediate action at the global, national and local levels is needed to address this problem. In their national plans of action, national AIDS and TB control programmes should include coordinated activities to reduce the impact of the problem and international organizations and donor countries should be encouraged to support them technically and financially. Control of this TB epidemic linked with HIV infection will depend largely on the availability of prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment for TB, and possibly of effective chemoprophylaxis, not just for HIV-infected persons but for other groups as well. To deal with this problem, a number of issues need to be studied urgently. In addition, a number of immediate steps can be taken by control programmes.