Tuberculosis active case-finding in a mother-to-child HIV transmission prevention programme in Soweto, South Africa

HIV markedly increases the risk of tuberculosis. We implemented active tuberculosis case-finding in a prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme in South Africa. Of 438 tuberculin-tested HIV-infected patients, 49% had a reaction greater than or equal to 5 mm induration, 120 underwent further evaluation for active disease. The prevalence of active tuberculosis was 11%, a high rate of tuberculosis in this population, and underscores the need for tuberculosis active case-finding to prevent mortality and transmission, and preventive therapy for latent tuberculosis infection.