Characteristics and treatment outcomes of co-infected tuberculosis patients with human immunodeficiency virus in Southeast China, 2012–2021

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic respiratory infection.

Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been a significant obstacle to TB control.

Insufficient attention has been given to TB/HIV, and more information is needed to address this issue.

We conducted an observational study to investigate the epidemiological characteristics, treatment outcomes and its associated factors of HIV-positive TB patients in Southeast China.

Methods An observational study was conducted based on data collected directly from China National TB Surveillance System during 2012–2021.

Epidemiological characteristics, drug resistance and outcomes were described as frequency (n) and percentage (%).

Risk factors for unsuccessful outcomes were determined using univariate (chi-squared) and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results A total of 347 TB/HIV cases were included, and the proportion of HIV-positive cases among all TB cases increased significantly from 0.06% to 2012 to 0.40% in 2021.

The majority of cases were males (86.5%), non-local household registers (139, 40.1%), farmers or workers (179, 51.6%), and aged 40–59 (142, 40.9%).

Of 347 cases, 290 (83.6%) had pulmonary TB (PTB), 10 (2.9%) had extra pulmonary TB (EPTB) and 47(13.5%) had both PTB and EPTB.

A total A total of 258 (74.4%) were HIV positive prior to TB diagnosis.

8.0% (4/50) of cases were resistant to rifampicin (RIF) and 274 patients (83.8%) had successful outcomes.

Being non-local ( AOR  = 2.193, 95% CI  = 1.196–4.022, P  = 0.011) and diagnosed HIV infection after TB ( AOR  = 2.365, 95% CI  = 1.263–4.430, P  = 0.007) were independent risk factors for unsuccessful outcomes of anti-TB treatment.

Conclusion During 2012–2021, the proportion of HIV-positive cases among all TB cases increased significantly in Southeast China.

HIV-positive TB patients were significantly more likely to develop resistance to RIF and INH and unsuccessful anti-TB treatment.

Non-local registration and becoming HIV positive after TB diagnosis were independent risk factors associated with unsuccessful outcomes.