Priority research questions for TB/HIV in HIV-prevalent and resource-limited settings

Overview

In November 2008, the Global TB/HIV Working Group of the Stop TB Partnership, in collaboration with the WHO Stop TB and HIV/AIDS departments and the UNDP/UNICEF/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) called for the revision of the 2005 TB/HIV research priorities agenda for resource- limited settings.

The priority questions reflect a wide range of research needs in basic, epidemiology, clinical, and operational research. Implementation of research priorities should capitalize on financial resources mobilized through the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief among others. Concomitant to increasing the scientific interest of the research community towards these questions, enhancing fund allocation by national governments of resource constrained settings is very crucial. It is believed the priority research questions identified in this document provide guidance on what needs urgent scientific interest and funding to address the dual TB and HIV epidemic.