The strong interaction between the HIV and tuberculosis epidemics has been well described.

Australian national surveillance data suggest that HIV status is ascertained by clinicians in less than 50% of people with tuberculosis.

Clinicians are not able to reliably predict which people have HIV infection — risk factor assessment alone is insufficient.

Because tuberculosis is an AIDS-defining condition and highly effective therapy for HIV infection is available, all patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection should be offered HIV testing.