Specifically, the scientists in the study found in men and women already infected with HIV that are taking isoniazid reduced deaths and new cases of active TB disease by 31 percent, while new cases of TB alone decline by 13 percent.
The findings of the research team from Johns Hopkins and Brazilian experts published in the journal, Lancet Infectious Diseases online, stem from what is believed to be the largest expansion of a clinic-based, community health programme designed to curb the spread of TB, and the first evidence that such a community-wide effort can be highly effective at preventing people who are co-infected from developing active TB disease.
According to senior study investigator and Johns Hopkins Infectious Disease Specialists Richard Chaisson, the results firmly support broad use of preventive isoniazid therapy for millions of people infected with HIV in countries heavily burdened by TB.
Chaisson says TB disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide among those with HIV&AIDS and is epidemic in developing countries with the highest HIV-infection rates.
Isoniazid treatment, is already recommended by the World Health Organisation, WHO, to prevent TB in people with HIV disease. The policy, however, has not been widely adopted and its broad impact on the HIV-infected community never shown until the Johns Hopkins and Brazilian team's latest study.
