Spread of HIV-1 infection affects tuberculosis control in Russia

The rapid spread of HIV-1 infection in Russia has serious implications for the control of tuberculosis (TB) epidemics in the country, according to the authors of a research letter published in the Lancet (1). Aggressive prevention measures must be taken quickly if a public health disaster is to be avoided. Since October 1999, the administrative district (oblast) of Orel in Russia has been the site of a project for TB control by directly observed treatment, short course (DOTS) (http://www.who.int/gtb/dots/), organised by the World Health Organization (WHO).