Survey on the infection status of HIV among Tuberculosis patients in Tianjin

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and clinical features of HIV infection among TB patients in Tianjin, in order to provide scientific basis for the controlling strategy of TB/HIV co-infection. Methods The HIV antibody test results and disease-related information of newly registered TB patients in our hospital were surveyed from 2010 to2013. The preliminary screening of HIV antibody was carried out by ELISA, and positive samples were further confirmed using western blotting methodology. Results Five thousand nine hundred and seventy-four TB patients were registered, in which 5027 TB patients were tested positive against HIV antibodies. The monitoring rate was 84.15%. There were 20 HIV positive cases, and the HIV infection rate was 0.40%. There was no significant difference of HIV infection rate among different years(P0.05). Among TB/HIV co-infection patients, those who were male, local residents, with sputum smear negative/without sputum TB, other type TB had high HIV infection rate. Twenty TB/HIV co-infected patients were all male, and the main route of transmission was sexual transmission. Conclusion The HIV infection rate among TB patients in Tianjin was below the national average, while the TB/HIV co-infection should not be ignored. HIV infection surveillance among TB patients should be strengthened, which was important for the control of TB / HIV co-infection.