Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is frequently observed in HIV-infected patients living in sub-Saharan Africa.  HIV-TB co-infection poses many problems with regard to diagnosis, treatment, drug resistance, and burdens on the health systems of developing African countries.  The aetiological agent of TB, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, interacts with HIV through a number of mechanisms that support disease progression to both acquired immune deficiency syndrome and full-blown TB in co-infected patients.  This essay provides a brief summary of the interactions between HIV and TB, outlining the clinical significance of co-infection, as well as cellular interactions between HIV and M. tuberculosis. 

Keywords: HIV, tuberculosis, co-infection.