Government intervention programs in HIV/tuberculous infection. Outline of guidelines for national tuberculosis control programs in view of the HIV epidemic.

Tuberculosis is one of the most widespread infections known in the world. WHO estimates that in 1990, 1.7 billion people, or one third of the world population, are or have been infected with the tubercle bacillus. Fortunately, few of those infected develop active forms of the disease but it is estimated that in 1990, there will be 8 million new cases and 2.9 million deaths from tuberculosis in the world. This already alarming situation of the tuberculosis problem is getting worse, mainly due to the AIDS epidemic. A basic understanding of tuberculosis/HIV epidemiology is necessary and priority actions are to be strongly recommended for application in government intervention programs. They are specified in the present article.