Foreword by Sir John Crofton

Doctors and other health professionals working in sub-Saharan Africa will be only too aware of the many patients they encounter with tuberculosis. They will also be all too well aware of the epidemic of HIV infection and the effect this has had on dramatically increasing the tuberculosis burden. They will know that in many patients development of clinical tuberculosis is the first sign of underlying HIV infection. This excellent book is designed for the busy clinician. It summarises the characteristics of both diseases and of their interactions. It concentrates particularly on the clinical problems of diagnosis and management, both in adults and children. It summarises the other HIV-related diseases which the clinician may encounter in TB/HIV patients. It provides a most useful review to those new to the problems and a handy reference for the experienced clinician when faced with some particular difficulty. It is well set out and easy to use.

The modern treatment of tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients is highly successful. This not only benefits the patient but reduces the spread of tuberculosis to families and the community. Other treatments can help to improve or control many HIV-related diseases. This book well summarises the range of treatments available. It also provides useful guides on counselling and on inter-agency cooperation, both essential components of TB/HIV management.

The enormous problems of HIV and tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa are now also increasing in Asia and South America, where the book should prove equally useful.

I congratulate WHO on deciding to produce this valuable book and the authors on the imaginative and practical way they have presented the problems and their management.

Sir John Crofton
Professor Emeritus of Respiratory Diseases and Tuberculosis
University of Edinburgh, Scotland