Timing of initiation of antiretroviral drugs during tuberculosis therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The rates of death are high among patients with coinfection with tuberculosis and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The optimal timing for the initiation of antiretroviral therapy in relation to tuberculosis therapy remains controversial.

Methods

In an open-label, randomized, controlled trial in Durban, South Africa, we assigned 642 patients with both tuberculosis and HIV infection to start antiretroviral therapy either during tuberculosis therapy (in two integrated-therapy groups) or after the completion of such treatment (in one sequential-therapy group). The diagnosis of tuberculosis was based on a positive sputum smear for acid-fast bacilli. Only patients with HIV infection and a CD4+ cell count of less than 500 per cubic millimeter were included. All pa

SUBMITTER: Abdool Karim SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3076221 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature