Title:When to Start Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Associated Tuberculosis
VOLUME: 9 ISSUE: 3
Author(s):Mili E. Torok
Affiliation:University of Cambridge, Department of Medicine, Box 157, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
Keywords:Antiretroviral therapy, HIV, initiation, timing, tuberculosis, when to start.
Abstract:The optimal time to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) in patients presenting with HIV-associated
tuberculosis has been a controversial issue. Early initiation of ART may be complicated by high pill burden, overlapping
drug toxicities, and an increased risk of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Delayed initiation of ART may
result in progressive immune decline, HIV-associated complications and death. Retrospective studies of HIV/TB
coinfected patients suggested that initiation of ART during TB treatment might be beneficial. Emerging evidence from
recent randomised controlled trials supports early ART initiation in HIV/TB patients with advanced immunosuppression,
apart from those presenting with tuberculous meningitis. However, current guidelines for antiretroviral therapy vary in
their recommendations for timing of ART initiation in HIV-associated TB.
