Changing Concepts of “Latent Tuberculosis Infection” in Patients Living with HIV Infection

Figure 1

A conceptual stylised diagram showing rising total bacillary load of Mycobacterium tuberculosis over time in an infected patient. The patient initially retains good immune control and low bacillary numbers (quiescent infection). Subsequent loss of immune control is associated with rising bacillary numbers (active infection) and eventual development of symptoms (TB disease). The risk of transition from latent infection to active infection and disease is increased markedly by HIV coinfection whereas antiretroviral therapy would tend to enhance immune control.