TUBERCULOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION

THE number of cases of tuberculosis reported annually in the United States declined steadily from 84,304 in 1953 to 22,255 in 1984.1,2 In a dramatic reversal of this trend, the number rose by 3 percent in 1986, by 5 percent to 23,495 in 1989, and by a provisional 6 percent in 1990.1 2 3 4 This unprecedented resurgence of tuberculosis is largely related to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic.1 2 3 Among the diseases associated with HIV infection, tuberculosis is of particular importance because it is contagious by the respiratory route, readily treatable, and potentially preventable with chemoprophylaxis. Physicians must be familiar with the … © 1991, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.