Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV (PLHIV). HIV targets the immune system and weakens people's defense systems against infections, leading to an increased risk of TB. PLHIV have up to 20 times higher risk of developing active TB compared to those without HIV infection. TB is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV worldwide  

TB screening should be offered to all PLHIV enrolled in care at diagnosis and all follow-up visits, and HIV testing should be routinely offered to all patients with TB.

PLHIV with active TB need both TB treatment and antiretroviral therapy (ART). WHO recommends that ART should be started as soon as possible within two weeks of initiating TB treatment, regardless of CD4 count, except when signs and symptoms of meningitis are present.

PLHIV without active TB must receive TB preventive treatment to reduce the risk of developing active TB. 

There were an estimated 37 000 HIV/TB coinfections and 5 900 deaths in the Region in 2020. 61% of the Notified TB cases knew their HIV status and 82% of the new and relapse TB-HIV cases are on treatment. Among PLHIV newly enrolled in care 39 % received preventive treatment.

Link to World TB Report 2021.