HIV Rise in Russia May Lead to TB Epidemic

A rapid rise in the number of people infected with HIV in Russia could lead to a TB epidemic there, scientists warned on Friday. An estimated 16 million people, or one in six, in Russia are already infected with TB. A 33-fold increase in HIV infections since 1997 could propel the number even higher, Russian and American researchers said in a report in the Lancet (2001; 358: 1513-1514). "If the spread of HIV is not prevented, co-infection will accelerate the resurgence of tuberculosis," said Dr. Boris Kazionny of the Orel Oblast Central Dispensary in Orel, southwest of Moscow. People whose immune systems are weakened by HIV are 30 times more likely to develop TB, which is one of the main opportunistic infections that kill AIDS patients.

Kazionny and his colleagues in Russia, along with Dr. Charles Wells of the CDC, said the epidemic is still at an early stage, and preventive measures could limit its spread. The researchers said the DOTS [Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course] treatment strategy for TB should be implemented throughout Russia. Multi-drug-resistant TB must also be monitored and treated quickly. "Russia might be able to avoid a true public health disaster by pursuing these prevention and containment measures; however, the time to act is now before the opportunity is lost," Kazionny added.

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