Tuberculosis prevalence, incidence and prevention in a south african cohort of children living with HIV

Abstract

SUMMARY Background We describe tuberculosis (TB) disease among antiretroviral treatment (ART) eligible children living with HIV (CLHIV) in South Africa to highlight TB prevention opportunities. Methods In our secondary analysis among 0- to 12-year-old ART-eligible CLHIV in five Eastern Cape Province health facilities from 2012 to 2015, prevalent TB occurred 90 days before or after enrollment; incident TB occurred >90 days after enrollment. Characteristics associated with TB were assessed using logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression with generalized estimating equations. Results Of 397 enrolled children, 114 (28.7%) had prevalent TB. Higher-income proxy [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–2.6] for the highest, 1.6 (95% CI 1.6–1.7) for intermediate]; CD4+ cell count <350 cells/µl [aOR 1.6 (95% CI 1.1–2.2)]; and malnutrition [aOR 1.6 (95% CI 1.1–2.6)] were associated with prevalent TB. Incident TB was 5.2 per 100 person-years and was associated with delayed ART initiation [hazard ratio (HR) 4.7 (95% CI 2.3–9.4)], malnutrition [HR 1.8 (95% CI 1.1–2.7)] and absence of cotrimoxazole [HR 2.3 (95% CI 1.0–4.9)]. Among 362 children with data, 8.6% received TB preventive treatment. Conclusions Among these CLHIV, prevalent and incident TB were common. Early ART, cotrimoxazole and addressing malnutrition may prevent TB in these children.