US issues revised TB Guidelines

The American Thoracic Society, CDC, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America have released their first completely revised TB prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment guidelines since 1994.

They are intended to advise public health programs and health care providers on all aspects of the clinical and public health management of TB in low-incidence countries. The new guidelines focus on the latest aspects of therapy, including drug administration, fixed-dose combination preparations, monitoring and managing adverse effects, and drug interaction.

The management of HIV-related TB is complex, requiring expertise in both diseases. Expert management is especially important since HIV patients often take numerous medications, some of which interact with TB drugs.