HIV and tuberculosis: a deadly human syndemic

CK Kwan, JD Ernst - Clinical microbiology reviews, 2011 - Am Soc Microbiol
CK Kwan, JD Ernst
Clinical microbiology reviews, 2011Am Soc Microbiol
SUMMARY A syndemic is defined as the convergence of two or more diseases that act
synergistically to magnify the burden of disease. The intersection and syndemic interaction
between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) epidemics have
had deadly consequences around the world. Without adequate control of the TB-HIV
syndemic, the long-term TB elimination target set for 2050 will not be reached. There is an
urgent need for additional resources and novel approaches for the diagnosis, treatment, and …
Summary
A syndemic is defined as the convergence of two or more diseases that act synergistically to magnify the burden of disease. The intersection and syndemic interaction between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) epidemics have had deadly consequences around the world. Without adequate control of the TB-HIV syndemic, the long-term TB elimination target set for 2050 will not be reached. There is an urgent need for additional resources and novel approaches for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of both HIV and TB. Moreover, multidisciplinary approaches that consider HIV and TB together, rather than as separate problems and diseases, will be necessary to prevent further worsening of the HIV-TB syndemic. This review examines current knowledge of the state and impact of the HIV-TB syndemic and reviews the epidemiological, clinical, cellular, and molecular interactions between HIV and TB.
American Society for Microbiology