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PCR detection of co-infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium in AIDS patients with meningitis.

Members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in India (Barani et al., 2012; Gupta et al., 2011); however, in recent years, the significance of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has also increased after the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic (Karne et al., 2012; Narang, 2008). Meningitis due to Mycobacterium avium is rare but often fatal, resulting in death in as many as 60 % of cases. Literature regarding the true prevalence of dual infection with M. tuberculosis and M. avium is limited and most of these cases are treated as drugresistant cases of tuberculosis (TB). Here, we report two cases of dual infection with M. tuberculosis and M. avium, both of which had a fatal outcome. This correspondence highlights an urgent need for the use of multiplex PCR in routine diagnostic laboratories. This would help in the diagnosis of co-infections due to NTM, especially M. avium and M. tuberculosis, in patients with HIV/AIDS and may, therefore, assist in better patient management and outcome of the disease.