Systematic review on efficacy of preventive measures for surgical site infection by multiple-drug resistant gram-negative bacilli.

BACKGROUND: There are no specific recommendations for prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) caused by multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB). Our objective was to systematically review the literature evaluating the efficacy and safety of measures specifically designed to prevent MDR-GNB SSI. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and LILACS databases up to February 18, 2020. Randomized trials and observational cohort studies evaluating the efficacy of preventive measures against MDR-GNB SSI in adult surgical patients were eligible. We evaluated methodological quality of studies and general quality of evidence using Newcastle-Ottawa scale, Cochrane ROBINS-I and GRADE method. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager V.5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 10,663 titles by searching databases were identified. Two retrospective observational studies, comparing surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) with or without aminoglycoside in renal transplantation recipients, and one non-randomized prospective study, evaluating ertapenem vs. cephalosporin plus metronidazole for SAP in extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriales carriers undergoing colon surgery, were included. Risk of bias was high in all studies. Meta-analysis was performed for the renal transplantation studies, with 854 patients included. Combined relative risk (RR) for MDR GNB SSI was 0.57 (95%CI: 0.25-1.34), favoring SAP with aminoglycoside (GRADE: moderate). CONCLUSIONS: There are no sufficient data supporting specific measures against MDR-GNB SSI. Prospective, randomized studies are necessary to assess the efficacy and safety of SAP with aminoglycoside for MDR-GNB SSI prevention among renal transplantation recipients and other populations. PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018100845.

Systematic review on efficacy of preventive measures for surgical site infection by multiple-drug resistant gram-negative bacilli

ABSTRACT Background: There are no specific recommendations for prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) caused by multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB). Our objective was to systematically review the literature evaluating the efficacy and safety of measures specifically designed to prevent MDR-GNB SSI. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and LILACS databases up to February 18, 2020. Randomized trials and observational cohort studies evaluating the efficacy of preventive measures against MDR-GNB SSI in adult surgical patients were eligible. We evaluated methodological quality of studies and general quality of evidence using Newcastle-Ottawa scale, Cochrane ROBINS-I and GRADE method. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager V.5.3 software. Results: A total of 10,663 titles by searching databases were identified. Two retrospective observational studies, comparing surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) with or without aminoglycoside in renal transplantation recipients, and one non-randomized prospective study, evaluating ertapenem vs. cephalosporin plus metronidazole for SAP in extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriales carriers undergoing colon surgery, were included. Risk of bias was high in all studies. Meta-analysis was performed for the renal transplantation studies, with 854 patients included. Combined relative risk (RR) for MDR GNB SSI was 0.57 (95%CI: 0.25-1.34), favoring SAP with aminoglycoside (GRADE: moderate). Conclusions: There are no sufficient data supporting specific measures against MDR-GNB SSI. Prospective, randomized studies are necessary to assess the efficacy and safety of SAP with aminoglycoside for MDR-GNB SSI prevention among renal transplantation recipients and other populations. PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018100845.

Changes in the NK Cell Repertoire Related to Initiation of TB Treatment and Onset of Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in TB/HIV Co-infected Patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil-ANRS 12274.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common comorbidity and the leading cause of death among HIV-infected individuals. Although the combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) during TB treatment improves the survival of TB/HIV patients, the occurrence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in some patients poses clinical and scientific challenges. This work aimed to evaluate blood innate lymphocytes during therapeutic intervention for both diseases and their implications for the onset of IRIS. Natural killer (NK) cells, invariant NKT cells (iNKT), γδ T cell subsets, and in vitro NK functional activity were characterized by multiparametric flow cytometry in the following groups: 33 TB/HIV patients (four with paradoxical IRIS), 27 TB and 25 HIV mono-infected subjects (prior to initiation of TB treatment and/or cART and during clinical follow-up to 24 weeks), and 25 healthy controls (HC). Concerning the NK cell repertoire, several activation and inhibitory receptors were skewed in the TB/HIV patients compared to those in the other groups, especially the HCs. Significantly higher expression of CD158a (p = 0.025), NKp80 (p = 0.033), and NKG2C (p = 0.0076) receptors was detected in the TB/HIV IRIS patients than in the non-IRIS patients. Although more NK degranulation was observed in the TB/HIV patients than in the other groups, the therapeutic intervention did not alter the frequency during follow-up (weeks 2-24). A higher frequency of the γδ T cell population was observed in the TB/HIV patients with inversion of the Vδ2+/Vδ2- ratio, especially for those presenting pulmonary TB, suggesting an expansion of particular γδ T subsets during TB/HIV co-infection. In conclusion, HIV infection impacts the frequency of circulating NK cells and γδ T cell subsets in TB/HIV patients. Important modifications of the NK cell repertoire were observed after anti-TB treatment (week 2) but not during the cART/TB follow-up (weeks 6-24). An increase of CD161+ NK cells was related to an unfavorable outcome. Despite the low number of cases, a more preserved NK cell profile was detected in IRIS patients previous to treatment, suggesting a role for these cells in IRIS onset. Longitudinal evaluation of the NK repertoire showed the impact of TB treatment and implicated these cells in TB pathogenesis in TB/HIV co-infected patients.

Tuberculosis-HIV treatment with rifampicin or rifabutin: are the outcomes different?

BACKGROUND: Rifamycins are a group of antibiotics mainly used in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), however they interact with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Rifabutin allows more regimens options for concomitant imunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment compared to rifampicin. OBJECTIVE: Compare the outcomes of TB-HIV co-infected patients who used rifampicin or rifabutin. METHODS: We analysed data from a prospective cohort study at National Institute of Infectious Diseases Evandro Chagas, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. Patients who were treated for TB and HIV with rifampicin or rifabutin, from February 2011 to September 2016 were included. FINDINGS: There were 130 TB-HIV patients, of whom 102 were treated with rifampicin and 28 with rifabutin. All patients in the rifabutin-treated group and 55% of the rifampicin-treated group patients were ART-experienced. Patients treated with rifampicin had similar abandon and cure rates, interruptions in treatment due to adverse reactions, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome and a similar mortality rate as those treated with rifabutin. However, rifampicin-treated patients had higher CD4 counts and more frequently undetectable HIV viral load by the end of treatment (67% versus 18%, p < 0.001) compared to rifabutin-treated patients, even when only ART-experienced patients were evaluated (66,6% versus 36,3%, p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who used rifabutin had worst immune and virological control. This group had more ART-experienced patients. New and simpler regimens are needed for patients who do not respond to previous antiretroviral therapies.

Tuberculosis-HIV treatment with rifampicin or rifabutin: are the outcomes different?

BACKGROUND Rifamycins are a group of antibiotics mainly used in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), however they interact with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Rifabutin allows more regimens options for concomitant imunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment compared to rifampicin. OBJECTIVE Compare the outcomes of TB-HIV co-infected patients who used rifampicin or rifabutin. METHODS We analysed data from a prospective cohort study at National Institute of Infectious Diseases Evandro Chagas, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. Patients who were treated for TB and HIV with rifampicin or rifabutin, from February 2011 to September 2016 were included. FINDINGS There were 130 TB-HIV patients, of whom 102 were treated with rifampicin and 28 with rifabutin. All patients in the rifabutin-treated group and 55% of the rifampicin-treated group patients were ART-experienced. Patients treated with rifampicin had similar abandon and cure rates, interruptions in treatment due to adverse reactions, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome and a similar mortality rate as those treated with rifabutin. However, rifampicin-treated patients had higher CD4 counts and more frequently undetectable HIV viral load by the end of treatment (67% versus 18%, p < 0.001) compared to rifabutin-treated patients, even when only ART-experienced patients were evaluated (66,6% versus 36,3%, p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS Patients who used rifabutin had worst immune and virological control. This group had more ART-experienced patients. New and simpler regimens are needed for patients who do not respond to previous antiretroviral therapies.

Cutaneous tuberculosis and HIV infection at a referral centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous tuberculosis (CTB) is a rare extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis (TB). Despite the increase in the number of cases of TB and HIV, few cases of CTB have been reported. OBJECTIVE: To describe CTB cases among patients with HIV infection from a cohort with tuberculosis. METHODS: We describe a series of 15 CTB and HIV cases, based on secondary data from 2000 to 2016. Diagnosis was based on isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in culture or clinical response to anti-tuberculous treatment associated with positive smear or histopathologic findings from affected skin or an adjacent lymph node. FINDINGS: Scrofuloderma was present in 12 (80%) patients and solitary gumma in three (20%) patients. One case of scrofuloderma was associated with papulonecrotic tuberculid. Seven (46.6%) patients had pulmonary TB. Diagnosis was based on culture in nine patients (60%). The median CD4 cell count was 262 cells/µL. All patients were cured at the end of treatment (median time 6 months). Three patients presented with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, CTB associated with HIV infection presented as localised forms or in association with pulmonary TB. In patients with HIV who have subacute and chronic skin lesions, CTB should be considered in differential diagnosis, which may represent a good opportunity for early diagnosis of active TB.

Cutaneous tuberculosis and HIV infection at a referral centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

BACKGROUND Cutaneous tuberculosis (CTB) is a rare extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis (TB). Despite the increase in the number of cases of TB and HIV, few cases of CTB have been reported. OBJECTIVE To describe CTB cases among patients with HIV infection from a cohort with tuberculosis. METHODS We describe a series of 15 CTB and HIV cases, based on secondary data from 2000 to 2016. Diagnosis was based on isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in culture or clinical response to anti-tuberculous treatment associated with positive smear or histopathologic findings from affected skin or an adjacent lymph node. FINDINGS Scrofuloderma was present in 12 (80%) patients and solitary gumma in three (20%) patients. One case of scrofuloderma was associated with papulonecrotic tuberculid. Seven (46.6%) patients had pulmonary TB. Diagnosis was based on culture in nine patients (60%). The median CD4 cell count was 262 cells/µL. All patients were cured at the end of treatment (median time 6 months). Three patients presented with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. CONCLUSIONS In this study, CTB associated with HIV infection presented as localised forms or in association with pulmonary TB. In patients with HIV who have subacute and chronic skin lesions, CTB should be considered in differential diagnosis, which may represent a good opportunity for early diagnosis of active TB.

Danger in the streets: exposures to bloodborne pathogens after community sharp injuries in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: Exposures to sharps injuries occurring in the community are relatively frequent. We describe characteristics of community sharp exposures reported in the city of Rio de Janeiro from 1997 to 2010. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of exposure reports to sharps in the community reported to a surveillance system, designed for health care workers, of the Municipal Health Department of Rio de Janeiro. The characteristics of exposed individuals analyzed included types of exposure, the circumstances of the accident, and the prophylaxis offered. Results: 582 exposures were studied. Median age was 30 years and 83 (14%) involved children with less than 10 years of age. Two hundred and seventeen (37%) occurred with sharps found in the streets. The exposure was percutaneous in 515 (89%) and needles where involved in 406 (70%) of them. The sharps were present in the trash in 227 (39%) or in the environment in 167 (29%) of the reports. Professionals who work with frequent contact with domestic or urban waste were 196 (38%). The source was known in 112 (19%) of the exposures and blood was involved in 269 (46%). Only 101 (19%) of the injured subjects reported a complete course of vaccination for hepatitis B. Antiretroviral prophylaxis was prescribed for 392 (68%) of the exposed subjects. Conclusions: Sharps injuries occurring in the community are an important health problem. A great proportion would be avoided if practices on how to dispose needles and sharps used outside health units were implemented.

Danger in the streets: exposures to bloodborne pathogens after community sharp injuries in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Exposures to sharps injuries occurring in the community are relatively frequent. We describe characteristics of community sharp exposures reported in the city of Rio de Janeiro from 1997 to 2010. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of exposure reports to sharps in the community reported to a surveillance system, designed for health care workers, of the Municipal Health Department of Rio de Janeiro. The characteristics of exposed individuals analyzed included types of exposure, the circumstances of the accident, and the prophylaxis offered. RESULTS: 582 exposures were studied. Median age was 30 years and 83 (14%) involved children with less than 10 years of age. Two hundred and seventeen (37%) occurred with sharps found in the streets. The exposure was percutaneous in 515 (89%) and needles where involved in 406 (70%) of them. The sharps were present in the trash in 227 (39%) or in the environment in 167 (29%) of the reports. Professionals who work with frequent contact with domestic or urban waste were 196 (38%). The source was known in 112 (19%) of the exposures and blood was involved in 269 (46%). Only 101 (19%) of the injured subjects reported a complete course of vaccination for hepatitis B. Antiretroviral prophylaxis was prescribed for 392 (68%) of the exposed subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Sharps injuries occurring in the community are an important health problem. A great proportion would be avoided if practices on how to dispose needles and sharps used outside health units were implemented.

Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes and Factors Associated with Each of Them in a Cohort Followed Up between 2010 and 2014.

Tuberculosis treatment has undergone recent changes in Brazil. Objective. To assess whether favorable outcomes on tuberculosis therapy improved in recent years. Methods. Retrospective observational study, based on primary data of tuberculosis patients, followed at INI-FIOCRUZ, from January 2012 to December 2014. Results. The outcomes observed were as follows: cure (80%), default (14%), treatment failure (5%), and death (1%). HIV infection without antiretroviral therapy [OR 0.34 (0.15-0.79)], tuberculosis diagnosis based on sputum smear [OR 0.22 (0.07-0.74)], drug use [OR 0.22 (0.11-0.46)], and/or treatment interruption due to adverse reactions [OR 0.23 (0.08-0.67)] decreased the chance of cure. Predictors of default, that is, use of noninjecting drugs [OR 3.00 (95% CL 1.31-6.88)], treatment interruption due to adverse reactions [OR 6.30 (1.81-21.95)], low schooling [OR 2.59 (2.15-5.82)], higher age [OR 0.44 (0.23-0.82)], and female gender [OR 0.28 (0.11-0.71)], reduced the chance of treatment default. Tuberculosis diagnosis based on sputum smear [OR 7.77 (1.94-31.09)] and/or arterial hypertension [OR 4.07 (1.25-13.18)] was associated with treatment failure. Conclusion. Mortality and default were low considering the prevalence of HIV infection; however cure was not significantly increased.

Factors impacting early mortality in tuberculosis/HIV patients: differences between subjects naïve to and previously started on HAART.

BACKGROUND: Mortality among patients with tuberculosis (TB)/HIV is highest during the first few months of antituberculous therapy. The objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with early mortality among TB/HIV patients and whether these factors are similar for HAART naïve and those with prior HAART initiation. METHODS: Prospective cohort study including HIV patients with tuberculosis confirmed by culture, cared for at a referral center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Multivariable Cox analysis was used to assess predictors of mortality within 3 months of antituberculous therapy. RESULTS: Among 227 patients included, 90 (40%) started HAART before TB diagnosis. The median time to TB diagnosis after ARV initiation was 5.9 months (interquartile range [IQR] 3.0-8.9 months). Fourteen patients (6%) died within the first 3 months. Mortality was not different between patients previously started on HAART and those who were naïve to it. In the overall adjusted analysis, HAART use during TB treatment (hazard ratio [HR] =0.21, 95% confidential interval [CI] =0.06-0.72) and CD4 lymphocyte count >100 cells/mm3 (HR=0.21, 95% CI=0.04-0.99) were associated with lower mortality, while subjects with unknown baseline CD4 lymphocyte count (HR=9.39, 95% CI=2.56-34.5) had higher mortality. In subgroup analysis, among HAART naïve subjects, disseminated TB (HR=5.32, 95% CI=1.09-25.8) and unknown baseline CD4 lymphocyte count (HR=13.2, 95% CI=2.71-64.5) were associated with significantly higher mortality, while HAART (HR=0.14, 95% CI=0.03-0.69) predicted a better outcome. Among subjects previously started on HAART, mortality was significantly associated with duration of TB symptoms >120 days (HR=6.15, 95% CI=1.15-32.9). CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of early mortality among TB/HIV patients may vary according to the timing of HAART initiation. Among HAART naïve patients, mortality was influenced by baseline clinical severity, HAART use and, possibly, the quality of care preceding TB diagnosis. For patients with prior HAART initiation, longer delays in TB diagnosis predicted a significantly higher mortality.

Predictors of tuberculosis treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze tuberculosis treatment outcomes and their predictors. METHODS: This was a retrospective longitudinal cohort study involving tuberculosis patients treated between 2004 and 2006 at the Instituto de Pesquisa Evandro Chagas, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. We estimated adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) for the predictors of treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Among 311 patients evaluated, the rates of cure, treatment abandonment, treatment failure, and mortality were 72%, 19%, 2%, and 6%, respectively. Changes in the treatment regimen due to adverse events occurred in 8%. The factors found to reduce the probability of cure were alcoholism (ARR, 0.30), use of the streptomycin+ethambutol+ofloxacin (SEO) regimen (ARR, 0.32), HIV infection without the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART; ARR, 0.36), and use of the rifampin+isoniazid+pyrazinamide+ethambutol regimen (ARR, 0.58). Being younger and being alcoholic both increased the probability of abandonment (ARR, 3.84 and 1.76, respectively). It was impossible to determine the ARR for the remaining outcomes due to their low prevalence. However, using the relative risk (RR), we identified the following potential predictors of mortality: use of the SEO regimen (RR, 11.43); HIV infection without ART (RR, 9.64); disseminated tuberculosis (RR, 9.09); lack of bacteriological confirmation (RR, 4.00); diabetes mellitus (RR, 3.94); and homosexual/bisexual behavior (RR, 2.97). Low income was a potential predictor of treatment failure (RR, 11.70), whereas disseminated tuberculosis and HIV infection with ART were potential predictors of changes in the regimen due to adverse events (RR, 3.57 and 2.46, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The SEO regimen should not be used for extended periods. The data confirm the importance of ART and suggest the need to use it early.

Preditores dos desfechos do tratamento da tuberculose / Predictors of tuberculosis treatment outcomes

OBJETIVO: Analisar os desfechos do tratamento da tuberculose e seus preditores. MÉTODOS: Estudo longitudinal de coorte de pacientes com tuberculose tratados entre 2004 e 2006 no Instituto de Pesquisa Evandro Chagas, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. As razões de risco ajustadas (RRa) dos preditores foram estimadas. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 311 pacientes. As taxas de cura, de abandono, de mortalidade e de falha terapêutica foram, respectivamente, 72 por cento, 19 por cento, 6 por cento e 2 por cento. A troca de regime terapêutico por eventos adversos foi necessária em 8 por cento. O alcoolismo (RRa, 0,30), uso do regime estreptomicina+etambutol+ofloxacina (SEO; RRa, 0,32), infecção por HIV sem tratamento antirretroviral (TARV; RRa, 0,36) e o uso do regime rifampicina+isoniazida+pirazinamida+etambutol (RRa, 0,58) reduziram a probabilidade de cura. A faixa etária mais jovem (RRa, 3,84) e o alcoolismo (RRa, 1,76) aumentaram a probabilidade do abandono. Não foi possível determinar as RRa para os demais desfechos devido a suas baixas prevalências. Entretanto, medidas do risco relativo (RR) identificaram os seguintes potenciais preditores do óbito: uso de esquema SEO (RR, 11,43), infecção pelo HIV sem TARV (RR, 9,64), forma clínica disseminada (RR, 9,09), ausência de confirmação bacteriológica (RR, 4,00), diabetes mellitus (RR, 3,94) e comportamento homo/bissexual (RR, 2,97). A baixa renda (RR, 11,70) foi potencial preditor para falha terapêutica, ao passo que infecção pelo HIV com uso de TARV (RR, 2,46) e forma clínica disseminada (RR, 3,57) foram potenciais preditores para troca do esquema por evento adverso. CONCLUSÕES: O esquema SEO deve ser utilizado transitoriamente quando possível. Os dados confirmam a importância de TARV e sugerem a necessidade de seu início precoce.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze tuberculosis treatment outcomes and their predictors. METHODS: This was a retrospective longitudinal cohort study involving tuberculosis patients treated between 2004 and 2006 at the Instituto de Pesquisa Evandro Chagas, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. We estimated adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) for the predictors of treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Among 311 patients evaluated, the rates of cure, treatment abandonment, treatment failure, and mortality were 72 percent, 19 percent, 2 percent, and 6 percent, respectively. Changes in the treatment regimen due to adverse events occurred in 8 percent. The factors found to reduce the probability of cure were alcoholism (ARR, 0.30), use of the streptomycin+ethambutol+ofloxacin (SEO) regimen (ARR, 0.32), HIV infection without the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART; ARR, 0.36), and use of the rifampin+isoniazid+pyrazinamide+ethambutol regimen (ARR, 0.58). Being younger and being alcoholic both increased the probability of abandonment (ARR, 3.84 and 1.76, respectively). It was impossible to determine the ARR for the remaining outcomes due to their low prevalence. However, using the relative risk (RR), we identified the following potential predictors of mortality: use of the SEO regimen (RR, 11.43); HIV infection without ART (RR, 9.64); disseminated tuberculosis (RR, 9.09); lack of bacteriological confirmation (RR, 4.00); diabetes mellitus (RR, 3.94); and homosexual/bisexual behavior (RR, 2.97). Low income was a potential predictor of treatment failure (RR, 11.70), whereas disseminated tuberculosis and HIV infection with ART were potential predictors of changes in the regimen due to adverse events (RR, 3.57 and 2.46, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The SEO regimen should not be used for extended periods. The data confirm the importance of ART and suggest the need to use it early.

Influence of HIV infection on mortality in a cohort of patients treated for tuberculosis in the context of wide access to HAART, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of HIV serostatus on mortality related to tuberculosis (TB) in the context of wide access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in a middle-income country. METHODS: Prospective cohort study including patients who started antituberculous therapy between April 2000 and July 2005 at a referral center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. RESULTS: Two hundred seven patients were enrolled, 106 were seropositive for HIV. There were 21 TB-related deaths in HIV-positive subjects (24.7 deaths per 100 patient-years) and 2 (2.5 deaths per 100 patient-years) among HIV-negative patients (rate ratio = 9.76, P < 0.001). Among HIV-infected subjects, TB-related mortality tended to be lower in patients treated with HAART [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.58, P = 0.06]. However, mortality among patients treated with HAART was still significantly increased as compared with HIV-negative patients (HR = 6.6, P = 0.014). In a Cox regression model adjusted for disseminated TB (P = 0.04), and treatment with antituberculous regimens not containing rifampicin (P = 0.11), mortality was significantly higher among seropositive patients not on HAART compared with HIV-negative subjects (HR = 6.30, P = 0.024). Among subjects treated with HAART, there was a nonsignificant increase in mortality (rate ratio = 3.48, P = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection still has a substantial impact on TB-related mortality in the context of wide access to HAART in a middle-income country.