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DOI: 10.3233/JPI-2010-0224
HIV – Tuberculosis in children – Combating the deadly duo!
Subject Editor:
Publication History
16 February 2008
27 May 2009
Publication Date:
28 July 2015 (online)
Abstract
The global human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pandemic has resulted in a worsening of the tuberculosis (TB) scenario, especially in the developing countries. The HIV-TB co-infection has grave epidemiological consequences for TB in terms of reactivation of latent TB infection, rapid progression of new infections to active disease and recurrence of infection in cured TB cases. A reported 33.2 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS in 2007. The number of children living with HIV in 2007 was estimated at 2.1 million (1.9–2.4 million) and those children who died of AIDS in 2007 was 290,000 (270,000–320,000). The solution to this dreaded dual infection lies in the phased implementation of TB and HIV control activities with child centered programs gradually giving way to family centered programs. To reduce the burden of TB in high HIV prevalence settings, the immediate goal should be to increase TB case detection rates and, to maximally improve TB cure rates. Public-private partnerships can enhance continuity of care for patients with TB and HIV/AIDS with political commitment and leadership from both public and private sectors.