Tuberculosis in developing countries.

Every year, between six and eight million people worldwide develop tuberculosis and 2-3 million die of the disease. The situation is worsening due to the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and reactivation of tuberculosis in patients with 'dual infection'. The World Health Organisation estimated that three million persons had 'dual infection' in 1990; 78% occurring in Africa. Tuberculosis, which affects adults during their most productive years and is a curable and preventable disease, has thus become a priority in the 1990s after a period of neglect. It also has some of the most cost effective health interventions available. The thrust of tuberculosis research in developing countries should be to support national tuberculosis control programmes, both in the development of their infrastructure and in research, to assist and develop tuberculosis control strategies.