TB and HIV co-infection in Eastern Europe: the myth of Sisyphus

Over the past 30 years or more, tuberculosis (TB) has remained the leading cause of death among people with HIV at a global level, and its treatment outcome has remained poorer than that of people with TB alone [1]. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the treatment success rate of TB cases with HIV co-infection rose from 68% in 2012 to 79% in 2023, but has remained far behind the 88% success rate for TB cases overall [1]. The gap is mainly attributable to suboptimal use of antiretroviral therapy (ART).