(P02-057-25) Nutrition and Tuberculosis: Lessons From TB Prevalence Surveys and Published Data From Africa, Asia, and the United States

Objectives: This study explores the impact of undernutrition on the global prevalence of tuberculosis (TB), with a particular focus on Africa and Asia. It also includes a limited analysis of TB among African Americans and other minorities in the United States.

Methods: The study presents data from recent national TB prevalence surveys and published literature, providing an understanding of the relationship between nutrition and TB. The focus is on Africa, Asia, and the United States to provide trends on TB-malnturition globally.

Results: It is critical that health and social programs understand the relationship between nutrition and TB to develop appropriate localized responses for reducing the TB and malnutrition burden. Results of recent TB prevalence surveys from Asia and Africa show a link between malnutrition and TB, emphasizing the need for integrated public health strategies. Undernutrition, a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5 kg/m², weakens cell-mediated immunity, increasing vulnerability to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and the progression to active TB. The TB surveys in Africa and Asia have shown high rates of malnutrition among TB patients, with significant deficiencies in micronutrients, including vitamins and essential minerals. Research studies further show how active TB exacerbates malnutrition through appetite loss, nutrient malabsorption, and catabolic processes, creating a vicious cycle where malnutrition raises TB risk while TB worsens nutritional status. Data from TB surveys highlight the combined impact of HIV co-infection and malnutrition on TB outcomes. In Asia, a significant TB burden exists among malnourished populations, particularly in rural areas with limited dietary diversity and urban slums characterized by overcrowding and poverty. Socioeconomic factors like poverty and food insecurity also affect malnutrition and TB disease transmission.

Conclusions: Developing targeted programmatic response to address malnutrition in conjunction with TB has the potential to break the cycle of disease and significantly improve health outcomes in high-risk populations. The study results show the critical role of nutrition in preventing and managing TB in different regions of the world.

Funding Sources: Self-funded