Newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients were tested for presence of HIV infection after informed consent was obtained. Subjects with or without HIV infection who were willing to participate in the study were enrolled, after obtaining written consent, between September 2000 and July 2006 when the required target for enrollment in each arm of the study was attained. These patients had never been treated for TB or had taken anti-tuberculosis drugs for less than one month. After enrollment, they were treated with the RNTCP regimen for 6 to 7 months and were followed up for a period of two years after.
