HIV seroprevalence by anonymous testing in patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and in tuberculosis contacts

Having witnessed a large increase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis notificatio ns in south London, we wanted to ascertain the prevalence of HIV and tuberc ulosis co-infection in our patients. AII patients with tuberculosis and the ir contacts were anonymously tested for HIV in blood and saliva, respective ly. 11.4% of patients (from various demographic groups) with tuberculosis w ho attend chest clinics in south London are HIV positive. In addition, 5% o f individuals seen in the tuberculosis contact screening clinics and 4% new entrants are HIV positive. All patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, i rrespective of background, should be urged to have an HIV test.