One of Africa's leading medical and social research centres into Aids and HIV
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TB/HIV clinical epidemiology

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the most common opportunistic infection associated with HIV in South Africa, and the deadly interaction of these two infections is a major focus of research.

A formal partnership with Johns Hopkins University was set up in 2000 headed by Dr Neil Martinson. The aim of the programme is to investigate the interaction of TB and HIV and the impact on the Soweto community. A number of projects have been developed.

    Novel TB prevention regimens for HIV-infected adults

  • Investigates regimens that reduce duration of treatment and number of doses with the aim of improving adherence. Funded by Johns Hopkins University.

    • TB prevalence in HIV-infected pregnant women

  • Symptomatic screening was done by lay counsellors. It was found that 2% of participants had active TB that was previously undiagnosed. Funded by USAID (PEPFAR).

    • Autopsy study

  • Investigated the high early mortality in patients with a clinical diagnosis of TB. Funded by AIDS Care Research in Africa (ACRiA).

    • TB incidence in HIV-infected children

  • A retrospective cohort study assesses if children on HAART have a lower incidence of active TB than HIV-infected children not on HAART. Funded by USAID.

    • Preventing TB in HIV-infected adults

  • A randomised controlled trial of three novel preventative treatment regimens. Funded by NIH.

    • TB and GIS study

  • A partnership with the Department of Electrical Engineering (Wits University) investigated whether a handheld PDA and GIS technology could be used to assist follow-up of TB patients. Funded by Carnegie Foundation.

    • TB Mortality

  • Extending the work of the autopsy study, this observational study is assessing predictors of death in 1000 adults admitted to three large hospitals with a presumptive diagnosis of TB. Funded by the Doris Duke Cahritable Foundation and the UK’s DFID

    • Active case finding for TB in HAART treated adults.

  • This prospective cohosrt is assessing the prevalence of TB in 1000 HAART treated adults and then assessing the value of symptoms in deciding who dees not have TB. The study is also assessing incidence of TB in HIV-infected adults.