title: Tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in European Union and European Economic Area countries.
abstract: In order to ensure the availability of resources for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV management and control, it is imperative that countries monitor and plan for co-infection in order to identify, treat and prevent TB-HIV co-infection, thereby reducing TB burden and increasing the years of healthy life of people living with HIV. A systematic review was undertaken to determine the burden of TB-HIV infection in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA). Data on the burden of HIV infection in TB patients and risk factors for TB-HIV co-infection in the EU/EEA were extracted from studies that collected information in 1996 and later, regardless of the year of initiation of data collection, and a narrative synthesis presented. The proportion of HIV-co-infected TB patients varied from 0 to 15%. Western and eastern countries had higher levels and increasing trends of infection over time compared with central EU/EEA countries. Groups at higher risk of TB-HIV co-infection were males, young adults, foreign-born persons, the homeless, injecting drug users and prisoners. Further research is needed into the burden and associated risk factors of co-infection in Europe, to help plan effective control measures. Increased HIV testing of TB patients and targeted and informed strategies for control and prevention could help curb the co-infection epidemic.
authors: Tuberculosis Section, Respiratory Diseases Dept, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Pimpin
authors: L N
authors: LN
authors: Drumright
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Kruijshaar
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Abubakar
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Rice
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Delpech
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Hollo
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Amato-Gauci
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Manissero
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Ködmön
mesh_terms: D060085:Coinfection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055030:Drug Users / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005062:European Union / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology*