Treatment Outcome of Tuberculosis in Seropositive Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital and ART Centre in Mumbai, India

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the major health problems in India. The Tuberculosis problem is further aggravated by TB- HIV co-infection. TB is not only leading cause of death in HIV infected persons but it also accelerates the progression of HIV infection to AIDS, at the same time, HIV infection is amongst the strongest risk factor for progression of latent TB infection to active disease. However the principles of TB control are the same, treatment with DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short course) is the accepted standard even for HIV positive TB patients. Methods: The present study was conducted to assess the treatment outcome of TB in TB-HIV co-infected patients on DOTS. A Prospective observational study was conducted at ART [Anti Retroviral Therapy] centre of B Y L Nair Charitable hospital, Mumbai, India. The newly diagnosed TB patients receiving DOTS were registered and were followed till treatment outcome was declared. Results: The treatment success rate was found to be 89.32% (92 of 103 patients). Higher treatment success rate was seen among patients with CD4 count >200/ µL 3 at the time of diagnosis, WHO clinical stage 1 and 2, and among working patients than ambulatory. No significant association was found with concurrent Anti Retro Viral Therapy and socio economic classes. Conclusion: The DOTS was found to be as effective in HIV seropositive, so it should be strengthened, in order to control the HIV-TB epidemic.