Management challenges in tuberculosis and HIV

Abstract

Globally, South Africa (SA) is disproportionately affected by the epidemics of  tuberculosis (TB) and the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). The intersection of these two diseases has resulted in an unprecedented disease burden. It is estimated that 12.2% of South Africans are HIV-infected – a total of 6.4 million people, the largest number in any country in the world.

SA has the second highest annual incidence of TB after Swaziland – approximately 1% of the population develop active TB disease each year (an estimated 530 000 people in 2012). While SA comprises 0.7% of the world’s population, it is estimated that of all cases of HIVassociated TB that occur worldwide annually, 30% are in SA.