RESEARCH ISSUES INVOLVING HIV-ASSOCIATED TUBERCULOSIS IN RESOURCE-POOR COUNTRIES

Each year, there are an estimated 8 million new cases of tuberculosis (TB) and 3 million deaths due to TB, most of which occur in resource-p oor countries. Tuberculosis incidence is increasing rapidly in countri es with high rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, an d despite the availability of effective interventions, many TB program s are failing to cope with the increased TB caseload. This report high lights gaps in current understanding of the interaction between TB and HIV that contribute to failure of optimal TB management and control; we focus on the diagnosis of TB, its epidemiology and transmission, pr eventive strategies, and programmatic issues in the integration of HIV and TB services. Research into how best to apply existing knowledge w ill be at least as important as searching for new knowledge, The globa l control of TB will also require increased resources, greater politic al commitment, and stronger international public health leadership.