Trends in HIV/TB coinfection in Trinidad and Tobago for the period 1998-2007.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to extend the description of the epidemiologic pattern of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/tuberculosis (TB) coinfection from 1998 to 2007 in a high HIV/AIDS prevalence country.


METHODS
This study utilized registry data to determine yearly TB incidence and HIV coinfection. Mortality rates for coinfected patients were calculated and compared with patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).


RESULTS
From a TB population of 2010 registered patients, data was collected on the 466 patients with HIV/TB coinfection. The coinfection rate was found to be 23.6% for the study period. Patients on HAART were twice as likely to survive.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of TB and HIV/TB coinfection rates continues to be major challenges in the developing world. Demographic, socioeconomic trends as well as risk factors remain unchanged. Increased HIV screening and HAART coverage offers hope for the future.
Mungrue
Kameel
K
University of the West Indies, Faculty of Medical Sciences, EWMSC, Mount Hope, Trinidad. kmungrue@fms.uwi.tt
Beharry
Andrew
A
Kalloo
Jason
J
Mahabir
Sunita
S
Maraj
Tishan
T
Ramoutar
Ryan
R
Ramsaroop
K
K
Solomon
Viren
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago / Q000453:epidemiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult