• J M McAnulty, G L Rubin, and M H Levy.
• Epidemiology and Health Services Evaluation Branch, New South Wales Health Department, North Sydney.
• Med. J. Aust. 1992 Jul 20; 157 (2): 119-21.

ObjectiveTo determine the coincidence of mycobacterial disease and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and whether persons with mycobacterial disease and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection differ from those with mycobacterial disease alone, by age, sex and country of birth.DesignA descriptive study.ParticipantsPersons on the NSW Tuberculosis Register in 1989 and those on the NSW AIDS database in 1982-1989.Main Outcome MeasureCoincident appearance on the Tuberculosis Register and the AIDS database.ResultsPeople with atypical mycobacterial infection and HIV infection were younger and more likely to be male compared with those with mycobacterial disease alone. There was a strong association between mycobacterial disease and HIV infection. Of 438 patients newly diagnosed with mycobacterial disease in 1989, 75 (17.1%) had HIV infection. Of 318 tuberculosis patients, 8 (2.5%) had HIV infection, and of 120 patients with atypical mycobacterial infection, 67 (55.8%) had HIV infection.ConclusionClose monitoring of HIV patients for mycobacterial infection, and chemoprophylaxis for persons infected with HIV who have positive Mantoux test results will assist in the control of mycobacterial disease. HIV testing and counselling should be considered for all persons with mycobacterial disease.

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