Intensified Case Finding for Tuberculosis in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Programs: A Simple and Potentially Vital Addition for Maternal and Child Health

Abstract

The intersection of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) poses a serious threat to HIV-infected women and their children. The majority of patients with TB in sub-Saharan Africa are infected with HIV and together the overlapping epidemics synergistically accelerate illness and death. Escalating case rates increased mortality and the recent emergence of extensively drug-resistant TB highlights how catastrophic a once preventable and curable disease has become among people with HIV/AIDS. The HIV epidemic requires new strategies to control TB in high-burden areas especially as women of reproductive age are disproportionately affected by the epidemic. Intensified case finding for TB has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality for people living with HIV especially pregnant women their families and infants. (excerpt)