Incidence Rates for Tuberculosis Among HIV Infected Patients in Northern Tanzania

Time to tuberculosis development and its predictors among HIV-positive patients: A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the incidence and predictors of time to Tuberculosis (TB) development among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients attending follow-up care in health facilities of Hawassa, Ethiopia.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study from April 1-30, 2023. A total of 422 participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data was collected from the medical records of patients enrolled between January 1, 2018 -December 31, 2022, using the Kobo toolbox. We used Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS) version 26.0 for data analysis. To estimate the duration of TB-free survival, we applied the Kaplan-Meier survival function and fitted Cox proportional hazard models to identify the predictors of time to TB development. Adjusted hazard ratios (AHR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated and statistical significance was declared at a P-value of 0.05.

RESULTS

The overall incidence rate of TB among HIV-positive patients was 6.26 (95% CI: 4.79-8.17) per 100 person-years (PYs). Patients who did not complete TB Preventive Therapy (TPT) were more likely to have TB than those who did (AHR = 6.2, 95% CI: 2.34-16.34). In comparison to those who began antiretroviral therapy (ART) within a week, those who began after a week of linkage had a lower risk of TB development (AHR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.21-0.89). Patients who received ART for six to twelve months (AHR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.05-0.61) and for twelve months or longer (AHR = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.001-0.02) exhibited a decreased risk of TB development in comparison to those who had ART for less than six months.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of TB among HIV-positive patients is still high. To alleviate this burden, special attention should be given to regimen optimization and provision of adherence support for better completion of TPT, sufficient patient preparation, thorough clinical evaluation for major (Opportunistic Infections) OIs prior to starting ART, and ensuring retention on ART.

The incidence rate of tuberculosis and its associated factors among HIV-positive persons in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis, along with HIV, is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Despite the fact that several primary studies have been conducted on the incidence rate of tuberculosis in HIV-infected people in Sub-Saharan Africa, the regional-level tuberculosis incidence rate remains unknown. The objective of this study is to determine the tuberculosis incidence rate and its associated factors in HIV-infected people in Sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by searching four databases for studies published in English between January 1, 2000, and November 25, 2022. The study was carried out using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. To assess the quality of the studies, the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist was used. A random-effects model meta-analysis was used to determine the pooled incidence of tuberculosis using STATA version 15. The I2 heterogeneity test was used to assess heterogeneity. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Funnel plots and Egger's regression tests were used to investigate publication bias. The pooled estimate predictors of tuberculosis incidence rate with a 95% confidence interval were also determined using the hazard ratio of each factor (HR).

RESULTS

Out of a total of 3339 studies, 43 were included in the analysis. The overall pooled incidence rate of tuberculosis in HIV-infected people was 3.49 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 2.88-4.17). In the subgroup analysis, the pooled incidence rate of tuberculosis in HIV-infected children was 3.42 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 1.78, 5.57), and it was 3.79 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 2.63, 5.15) in adults. A meta-analysis revealed that underweight (AHR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.61-1.96), low CD4 count (AHR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.13-1.35), male gender (AHR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.22-1.64), advanced WHO clinical stages (AHR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.34-3.23), anemia (AHR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.34-2.13), bedridden or ambulatory (AHR = 1.87, 95%), lack of isoniazid preventive therapy (AHR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.08-2.28), and lack of cotrimoxazole (AHR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.08-2.28) were risk factors for tuberculosis incidence. HIV patients who received antiretroviral therapy had a 0.53 times higher risk of acquiring tuberculosis than HIV patients who did not receive antiretroviral therapy (AHR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.3-0.77).

CONCLUSION

In this systematic review and meta-analysis study, the incidence rate of tuberculosis among HIV-positive people was higher than the WHO 2022 Africa regional estimated report. To reduce the incidence of tuberculosis among HIV patients, HIV patients should take isoniazid prevention therapy (IPT), cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) without interruption, as well as increase the frequency and diversity of their nutritional intake. Active tuberculosis screening should be increased among HIV-infected people.

Sensitivity and specificity of CRP and symptom screening as tuberculosis screening tools among HIV-positive and negative outpatients at a primary healthcare facility in Lusaka, Zambia: a prospective cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the performance of point-of-care C-reactive protein (CRP) as a screening tool for tuberculosis (TB) using a threshold of 10 mg/L in both people living with HIV (PLHIV) and HIV-negative individuals and compare it to symptom screening using a composite reference for bacteriological confirmation of TB.

METHODS

Prospective cross-sectional study.

SETTING

A primary healthcare facility in Lusaka, Zambia.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive adults (≥18 years) presenting for routine outpatient healthcare were enrolled. Of the 816 individuals approached to participate in the study, 804 eligible consenting adults were enrolled into the study, of which 783 were included in the analysis.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value (NPV) of CRP and symptom screening.

RESULTS

Overall, sensitivity of WHO-recommended four-symptom screen (W4SS) and CRP were 87.2% (80.0-92.5) and 86.6% (79.6-91.8) while specificity was 30.3% (26.7-34.1) and 34.8% (31.2-38.6), respectively. Among PLHIV, sensitivity of W4SS and CRP was 92.2% (81.1-97.8) and 94.8% (85.6-98.9) while specificity was 37.0% (31.3-43.0) and 27.5% (22.4-33.1), respectively. Among those with CD4≥350, the NPV for CRP was 100% (92.9-100). In the HIV negative, sensitivity of W4SS and CRP was 83.8% (73.4-91.3) and 80.3% (69.5-88.5) while specificity was 25.4% (20.9-30.2) and 40.5% (35.3-45.6), respectively. Parallel use of CRP and W4SS yielded a sensitivity and NPV of 100% (93.8-100) and 100% (91.6-100) among PLHIV and 93.3% (85.1-97.8) and 90.0% (78.2-96.7) among the HIV negatives, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Sensitivity and specificity of CRP were similar to symptom screening in HIV-positive outpatients. Independent use of CRP offered limited additional benefit in the HIV negative. CRP can independently accurately rule out TB in PLHIV with CD4≥350. Parallel use of CRP and W4SS improves sensitivity irrespective of HIV status and can accurately rule out TB in PLHIV, irrespective of CD4 count.

Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and associated factors among adults living with HIV/AIDS attending public hospitals in Shashamene Town, Oromia Region, South Ethiopia

Objective:

This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and its associated factors among adults living with HIV/AIDS attending Public Hospitals, Shashamene Town, Oromia Region, South Ethiopia.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to February 2021 among Adults Living with HIV/AIDS attending Public Hospitals in Shashamene Town, Oromia Region, South Ethiopia. A sputum sample was collected and analyzed using Xpert MTB/RIF assay and blood sample was collected to count CD4 using BD FACSPresto analyzer. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. SPSS version 25 software was used for statistical analysis and a p value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results:

In this study, the overall prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among adults living with HIV/AIDS attending the Public Hospitals was 23.5% (5% confidence interval: 18.26, 29.13). Variables such as age range of 50–64 years, female gender, occupation with house wife, and World Health Organization stage (III and IV) were significantly associated with prevalence of tuberculosis infection.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of tuberculosis in our study site was high. There is a need for regular screening of people living with HIV/AIDS for TB using highly sensitive method like Xpert MTB/RIF assay to know their TB status as well as early commencement of anti-TB.

Tuberculosis among people living with HIV/AIDS in Jazan Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infections are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are highly susceptible to TB infection and progression to active TB disease. This study aims to determine the proportion and risk factors of TB among PLWHA in Jazan Region, southwestern Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-infected individuals attending the main referral hospital in Jazan Region during the period 2017-2019. The participants' TB status, CD4+ lymphocyte count, and viral load were assessed. In addition, their demographic and clinical information was collected using a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 316 HIV-positive individuals aged between 13 and 81 years (75% male and 25% female) were enrolled in this study. Of them, 30 (9.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.2, 10.6%) were diagnosed with TB: 46.7% (14/30) had pulmonary TB and 53.3% (16/30) had extrapulmonary TB. The highest proportion of TB-positive PLWHA was found among participants aged 18-30 years (11.6%) and among non-Saudis (14.0%) when compared to other age groups and Saudi participants (7.4%). Multivariate analysis showed that male gender (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.79; 95% CI = 1.22, 18.74), past medical history (PMH) of TB (AOR = 29.67; 95% CI = 5.31, 164.32), PMH of other RTIs (AOR = 5.86; 95 % CI = 2.14, 16.06), CD4+ lymphocyte count of <200 cells/mm³ (AOR = 4.33; 95% CI = 1.65, 11.36), and viral load of ≥1 × 10³ copies/mL (AOR = 5.46; 95% CI = 2.02, 14.77) were the significant risk factors of TB among the studied PLWHA.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of TB/HIV co-infection among the studied population was 9.5%. Therefore, all PLWHA should be screened for TB at every visit to a health facility. The findings highlight that integration of health services for both TB and HIV/AIDS in Saudi Arabia is recommended.

Efficacy of Combined Rifampicin Formulations Delivered by the Pulmonary Route to Treat Tuberculosis in the Guinea Pig Model

Liposomes, as vehicles alone or in combination with rifampicin (RIF) microparticles (RMs), were evaluated as vehicles to enhance the permeation of RIF into granulomas. RIF liposomes (RLs) were extruded through a 0.1 µm polypropylene membrane. RMs were prepared by the solvent evaporation method. Four weeks after infection, guinea pigs (GPs) were assigned to groups treated with a combination of RM-RLs or RLs alone. RLs were nebulized after extrusion whereas RMs were suspended in saline and nebulized to GPs in a nose-only inhalation chamber. Necropsy was performed after the treatment; the lungs and spleen were resected for bacteriology. RLs had mean diameters of 137.1 ± 33.7 nm whereas RMs had a projected area diameter of 2.48 µm. The volume diameter of RMs was 64 ± 1 µm, indicating that RMs were aggregated. The treatment of TB-infected GPs with RLs significantly reduced their lung bacterial burden and wet spleen weight compared with those treated with blank liposomes. The treatment of TB-infected animals with RM-RLs also reduced their lung bacterial burden and wet spleen weight even though these reductions were not statistically different. Based on these results, the permeation of RIF into granulomas appears to be enhanced when encapsulated into liposomes delivered by the pulmonary route.

Characterization of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Impairment in Middle-Aged and Older Persons With HIV in Lima, Peru

Background: With widespread use of antiretroviral medications, people living with HIV (PWH) are living longer worldwide, increasing their risk of developing neurocognitive impairment (NCI). The proportion of Peruvians over age 60 is expected to increase to 25% of the population by 2050, including PWH. Therefore, the problem of aging and NCI, especially in the setting of HIV infection, is uniquely pressing. We sought to study the rates of and risk factors associated with NCI among middle-aged and older PWH in Lima, Peru. Materials and Methods: Sociodemographic, medical (infectious and non-infectious), and psychiatric comorbidity and laboratory data were collected. We administered a brief neuropsychological battery evaluating seven cognitive domains affected in HIV-associated NCI and a depression screening. Cognitive test raw scores were converted to T-scores that were demographically adjusted. Descriptive statistics were performed together with regression (unadjusted and adjusted) analyses to determine potential risk factors for NCI among PWH. Results: This was a cross-sectional study in which 144 PWH aged ≥40 years attending a large HIV clinic in Lima, Peru, were recruited from September 2019 to March 2020. Mean age was 51.6 ± 7.7 years, and mean years of education were 14.0 ± 3.1 with 15% females. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] current CD4 and nadir CD4 were 554 (371, 723) and 179 (83, 291), respectively, and 10% currently had AIDS. The prevalence of NCI was 28.5%, and many demonstrated difficulty with attention and working memory (70%). One-quarter of PWH had mild depression or worse on Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9 ≥ 5). In bivariate analyses, neither a depression history nor a higher PHQ-9 score correlated with NCI. No other non-communicable medical or psychiatric comorbidity nor HIV characteristic was predictive of NCI. Having a positive lifetime history of hepatitis B infection, pulmonary tuberculosis, or syphilis increased risk of NCI (PR 1.72; 95% CI 1.04-2.86) in unadjusted analyses, but not in adjusted analyses. Conclusions: NCI among older Peruvians with HIV was found to be highly prevalent with levels consistent with prior reports of HIV-associated NCI worldwide. Common latent HIV-associated co-infections, including latent syphilis, hepatitis B infection, or pulmonary tuberculosis, may increase the risk of NCI among middle-aged and older PWH in Peru.

Diagnostic performance of GeneXpert in tuberculosis-HIV co-infected patients at Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital, Southeastern Ethiopia: A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

GeneXpert is a new introduction in the diagnostic modality to fight tuberculosis (TB) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) under the program of intensified TB case finding. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of GeneXpert under the program of intensified TB cases finding among PLHIV.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study was conducted by recruiting individuals attending an HIV clinic from February 2018 to January 2019. Data on clinical parameters were collected using a standardized tool. Two-morning sputum samples were collected and processed for smear microscopy and GeneXpert. SPSS 21 used for data analysis. Proportion, percentage, and mean with SD were used to describe variables. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess factors associated with the GeneXpert. Values for which the 95% CI interval not includes 1 and for which P<0.05 were considered significant.

RESULT

A total of 384 presumptive TB-HIV co-infection cases were included, of which 166 (43%) were diagnosed to have TB. Fifty-four (32.5%) TB cases were smear AFB positive while 79 (47.7%) TB cases were GeneXpert positive. The GeneXpert detection rate was almost two-fold of that of smear microscopy and all smear positive TB cases were detected by GeneXpert. Moreover, GeneXpert was able to detect an additional third of TB confirmed cases among smear AFB negative cases. Advanced stage of the disease, high viral load and presence of anemia were significantly associated with TB. The WHO TB screening tool remained least sensitive with the lowest positive predictive value.

CONCLUSION

GeneXpert demonstrated two-fold case detection rate compared to the sputum smear microscopy and additional third TB case detection rate among smear AFB negative cases. Clinical screening tool for evaluation of TB-HIV co-infection showed poor performance in TB case notification.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices on tuberculosis infection prevention and associated factors among rural and urban adults in northeast Tanzania: A cross-sectional study

Almost 10 million of the global population was infected with tuberculosis (TB) in 2017. Tanzania is among countries with high incidence of TB. Although control measures of TB are multi factorial, it is important to understand the individual's knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) in order to control TB infection. We conducted a cross-sectional study in northeast Tanzania; recruited and interviewed 1519 adults from two districts, one rural and another urban. We scored each participant using several questions for each construct of KAP. A study participant scoring at least 60% of the possible maximum scores was considered as having a good knowledge, positive attitude or good practices. And herein, a participant having positive TB attitude would mean they acknowledge TB exist, recognizes its impact on health and would seek or advise TB-infected individuals to seek the correct remedies. We applied multiple linear regression analysis to assess independent individual-level factors related to TB on KAP scores in the rural and urban populations. Overall, less than half (44%) of the study participants had good overall knowledge about TB infection and significantly more urban than rural adult population had good overall knowledge (p<0.001). Almost one in ten, (11%) of all study participants had positive attitudes towards TB infection. More urban study participants, (16%) had positive attitudes than their rural counterparts, 6%). Almost nine in ten (89%) of all study participants had good practices towards TB prevention and control; significantly more adults in urban, (97%) than the rural populations (56%) (p<0.01). Predictors of KAP scores were individual's education and main source of income. Adults in rural and urban northeast Tanzania have poor knowledge, attitudes and practices for TB infection and prevention. Strategies focusing on health education are important for control of TB, especially among rural communities.

Effect of tuberculosis infection on mortality of HIV-infected patients in Northern Tanzania

Background

TB and HIV are public health problems, which have a synergistic effect to each other. Despite the decreasing burden of these two diseases they still make a significant contribution to mortality. Tanzania is among the 30 high TB and HIV burden countries.

Methods

Routine data over 6 years from people living with HIV (PLHIV) attending health facilities in three regions of Northern Tanzania were analyzed, showing mortality trends from 2012 to 2017 for HIV and HIV/TB subpopulations. Poisson regression with frailty model adjusting for clustering at health facility level was used to analyze the data to determine mortality rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Results

Among all PLHIV the overall mortality rate was 28.4 (95% CI 27.6–29.2) deaths per 1000 person-years. For PLHIV with no evidence of TB the mortality rates was 26.2 (95% CI 25.4–27.0) per 1000 person-years, and for those with HIV/TB co-infection 57.8 (95% CI 55.6–62.3) per 1000 person-years. After adjusting for age, sex, residence, WHO stage, and bodyweight, PLHIV with TB co-infection had 40% higher mortality than those without TB (RR 1.4; 95% CI 1.24–1.67).

Conclusions

Over the 6-year period mortality rates for HIV/TB patients were consistently higher than for PLHIV who have no TB. More efforts should be directed into improving nutritional status among HIV patients, as it has destructive interaction with TB for mortality. This will improve patients’ body weight and CD4 counts which are protective against mortality. Among PLHIV attention should be given to those who are in WHO HIV stage 3 or 4 and having TB co-infection.

Performance of and Factors Associated With Tuberculosis Screening and Diagnosis Among People Living With HIV: Analysis of 2012-2016 Routine HIV Data in Tanzania

People Living with HIV (PLHIV) should be screened for tuberculosis (TB) at every visit to the HIV care and treatment clinic (CTC), and those with positive results on screening should undergo further diagnostic investigations. We evaluated the performance of the TB diagnosis cascade among PLHIV attending CTC between January 2012 and December 2016 in three regions of Tanzania: Dar es Salaam, Iringa, and Njombe. We used descriptive epidemiology to evaluate performance and logistic regression to determine odds ratios (OR) for factors associated with TB screening and further TB diagnosis after positive TB screening. We analyzed 169,741 PLHIV who made 2,638,876 visits to CTC between January 2012 and December 2016. We excluded 2,074 (0.80%) visits as these involved PLHIV enrolled in CTC with a prior TB disease diagnosis. Of the 2,636,802 visits, 2,524,494 (95.67%) had TB screening according to national guidelines, of which 88,028 (3.49%) had TB screening positive results. Of the 88,028 visits with a positive TB screening, 27,810 (31.59%) had no records for further TB diagnosis following positive TB screening. Of all visits with positive TB screening, 32,986 (37.50%) had a TB disease diagnosis. On multivariate logistic regression, those who visited with World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage four (aOR = 3.61, 95% CI 3.48–3.75, P < 0.001), enrolled in health center (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.24–1.29, P < 0.001), enrolled in Iringa region (aOR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.50–1.57, P < 0.001), and enrolled in 2015 (aOR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.18–1.24, P < 0.001) were more likely to have no TB screening. Visits involving those who were of the female sex (aOR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.11–1.18, P < 0.001), enrolled in Njombe region (aOR = 4.36, 95% CI 4.09–4.65, P < 0.001), and enrolled in 2016 (aOR = 2.62, 95% CI 2.49–2.77, P < 0.001) were more likely to have no further TB diagnosis after positive TB screening. The study documented high performance of TB screening for PLHIV in HIV CTCs but a low transition of presumptive TB case undergoing further investigations. Better systems are needed for ensuring presumptive TB cases are diagnosed including using more efficient diagnostic methods like Gene pert.