Pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV infection prevalences in the district of Dire north Mali

During April-June 1990 in Mali south of the Timbuktu region blood and sputum samples were taken from 1814 people living in Dire District so researchers could determine the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV infection and the relationship between the two infections. 33.6% of the individuals were nomads. 47.2% had a BCG scar. 1.1% (20) had active pulmonary TB. TB was most common in people older than 54 years (50% of TB cases). No one aged 0-13 years had TB. The Bozo ethnic group had the highest TB prevalence (3.3% vs. 0.4-1.2%). 71.3% of all persons did not have any signs or symptoms of AIDS. Four (0.2%) persons tested positive for HIV (3 for HIV-1 infection and 1 for HIV-1/HIV-2 infection). All four persons (3 men 1 woman) were asymptomatic and from the Tamachek ethnic group (2 nomads 2 settled). The ages of the HIV-positive persons were 17 25 30 and 61 years. No HIV-positive person had TB.