The HIV-tuberculosis time bomb: how can hospitals in developing countries cope?

The treatment of the ever-increasing number of people in developing tuberculosis as a consequence of the AIDS epidemic is becoming a new challenge in hospitals. Policies are needed that will ensure high detection anc cure rates, especially of the adult smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis case--the main cause of transmission. Decisions may be required on: case management procedures; counseling; prioritizing in-patient care; out-patient-based supervised care, where feasible; identifying human, material and financial resources to cope with the HIV-related tuberculosis epidemic.