The World Health Organization recommends systematic screening for TB symptoms in people living with HIV as an essential component of the HIV care package, together with linkage to diagnostic services, as necessary.
TB diagnosis in HIV-infected patients may be challenging due to higher rates of extrapulmonary disease and sputum smear-negative pulmonary TB. Smear-negative, culture-positive pulmonary TB frequently occurs with advanced immunosuppression. Many active TB cases can therefore remain undiagnosed in people living with HIV.
