DOTS (TB) Treatment in AIDS Patients

By Dr Diwakar Tejaswi

Worldwide HIV infection – Total 33.3 Million
TB- Estimated prevalence 11 Million among HIV infected (1/3rd of HIV infected)
Our Primary Data- Estimates as high as 60%
1.1 Million developed TB Annually Worldwide.
3,80,000 people with HIV died from TB (4700 deaths a day);
There was a genuine concern at UN- “Living with HIV dying of TB” due to Underdiagnosis.

DOTS and AIDS:
Intermittent treatment during initial intensive phase was associated with significant higher rates of failure and relapse.Based on the findings:

WHO Recommendation March 2010 (Treatment of Tuberculosis Guidelines)

Recommendation 4.1- TB Patients with known HIV + status and all TB patients living in HIV prevalent settings should receive daily TB treatment at least during intensive phase.
Recommendation 4.2- For the continuation phase, the optimal dosing freq is also daily for these patients.

Central TB Division, MoH India should consider the facts and urged to make an appropriate ammendement accordingly

Dr Diwakar Tejaswi is the Medical Director at Public Awareness for Healthful Approach for Living (PAHAL) and based at Patna, Bihar, India.