TB Nutrition, Immunology and Epidemiology

The purpose of this study is to see whether people who take vitamins along with the standard medicine for tuberculosis (TB) recover better and quicker than people who take only the standard medicine for TB. This study will enroll 600 men and women, who are age 18-65 years, have TB, and intend to stay in Dar-es-Salaam for at least 2 years from the start of TB therapy. Half the participants will have active TB and also HIV infection, and the other half will have TB alone. Half the volunteers will be given vitamins, and the other half will be given placebo (sugar pill with no vitamins) from the start of their TB therapy, through the 8 months of anti-TB therapy, and up to 48 months. Participation in the study involves visits to the clinic, physical exams, home visits, and answering questions about personal health, foods eaten, household, occupation, and education. Volunteers will also provide blood, sputum, and urine samples.