A new study has found New Zealand continues to have a low incidence of HIV-associated TB. The study, published in the latest Medical Journal, was the first to describe a New Zealand cohort of patients with HIV-associated TB. Infectious diseases specialists reviewed the clinical records, laboratory data and chest radiographs of all patients who were diagnosed with HIV-associated TB, and who commenced treatment for TB disease at Auckland City Hospital between January 1997 and July 2009. During the 12-and-a-half year study period, 40 patients were diagnosed with HIV-associated TB. The median age was 37 years and the median CD4 count was 130 cells/mm3. Only two patients were New Zealand born. Twenty four had known HIV infection prior to their diagnosis of TB disease. Two patients with known HIV infection and positive tuberculin skin tests had not received treatment for latent tuberculosis infection. Twenty three received antiretroviral treatment during their TB treatment. There were 21 episodes of treatment interruption or immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Three patients died. The researchers concluded that New Zealand continues to have a low incidence of HIV-associated TB. They say early HIV diagnosis with universal screening and the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in people living with HIV infection are key to minimising the disease burden.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 20th June 2015 - 1:35pm