title: HIV and parasitic co-infections in tuberculosis patients: a cross-sectional study in Mwanza, Tanzania.
abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mwanza, Tanzania, to determine the burden of HIV and parasitic co-infections among patients who were confirmed or suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Of the 655 patients investigated, 532 (81.2%) had been confirmed as PTB cases, by microscopy and/or culture (PTB+), whereas the other 123 (18.8%) were only suspected cases, on the basis of other clinical criteria (PTB-). Hookworm and Schistosoma mansoni infections were common in the patients, with prevalences of 18% and 34%, respectively. Malarial, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Strongyloides stercoralis infections were less common, each recorded at a prevalence of <5%. The PTB+ patients were less likely to be HIV-positive than the PTB- patients (43.6% v. 62.6%; P<0.0001). Among the PTB+ patients, the HIV-positive had a significantly lower prevalence (12.1% v. 25%; P<0.0001) and mean intensity (49 v. 123 eggs/g; P=0.003) of hookworm infection than the HIV-negative. The PTB patients in the study area were, however, still frequently co-infected with HIV and with parasitic infections that may increase morbidity and accelerate the progression of HIV disease.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Medical Research, Muhimbili Medical Research Station, PO Box 3436, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Range
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magnussen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mugomela
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Malenganisho
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Changalucha
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Temu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mngara
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Krarup
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Friis
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications*