Abstract.The data proving low probability of observing Biofilm Formation (BF) by contemporary clinical strains ofM. tuberculosisgrowing on liquid medium in vitro are discussed. A hypothesis about the role of MDR/XDR development hindering BF production was proposed. It was found that strains capable of producing BF grow on Lewenstein–Jensen medium generated R-form specific colonies shaped as a disk with a convex center, “UFO-colonies”. Sixty seven “UFO”- strains were investigated to BF production, resistance to antibiotics and their belonging to the main epidemics clusters of the Beijing genotype (CC1 and CC2-W148). It was shown that MDR/XDR strains were also capable of BF production that, however, was remarkably more frequent in strains of CC1 and CC2-W148 genotypes. Thus, it was hypothesized that BF production might potentially influence an outcome of chronic forms of TB-infection.

Scales of epidemic process of HIV-associated of tuberculosis are especially noticeable in regions with high prevalence of HIV infection and tuberculosis. A striking example of this situation is the Irkutsk region – the territory with the highest prevalence of HIV infection in the Russian Federation and one of the most unsuccessful one on tuberculosis – in 2010 became Russian “leader” and in prevalence of the HIV-associated tuberculosis, keeping a position “in the first five” so far. It is clear, that all this cannot but imply negative manifestations of two considered epidemic processes at their simultaneous development in one territory. The above-said facts predetermined carrying out the retrospective epidemiological analysis of spread of tuberculosis among the cumulative population in the Irkutsk region, a territory of high risk of HIV infection.The purpose of the work was to assess features of spread of tuberculosis in the territory of the large center of HIV infection (Irkutsk region).Results. The expressed negative impact of HIV infection on epidemic process of tuberculosis in the studied region, shown in divergence of trends and higher levels of epidemiological indicators in comparison to the all-Russian data is established.Conclusion. As a result of a research the trend of regional incidence of tuberculosis, multidirectional with the all-Russian indicators, is established from the moment of epidemic spread of HIV infection that demonstrates integration of epidemic processes of the studied infections. Even on condition of regress of epidemic process of tuberculosis at the end of the analyzed period which is followed by decrease in incidence of all population, HIV infection has a significant impact on his tension that, certainly, demands the strengthened measures of epidemiological control of these socially important infections.

The objective: to evaluate immediate and postponed results of surgical treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in patients with TB/HIV co-infection.Subjects and methods. 106 patients underwent surgery: 64 patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis (81.2% had resections, and 18.8% – thoracoplasty), 36 patients – tuberculous spondylitis (vertebral body resection in combination with anterior spondylodesis), and 6 patients – cerebral TB (removal of tuberculous lesions under neuronavigation). Development of complications in the postoperative period and tuberculosis relapses in the long-term period was assessed.Results. No severe and suppurative complications were observed in the postoperative period in patients with HIV/pulmonary TB and HIV/cerebral TB. In patients with HIV/TB spondylitis, complications were registered in 4/36 (11.1%) cases: in 2/4 – postoperative wound suppuration and in 2/4 – ligature fistulas. No relapse of tuberculosis was reported after lung resection in 45 out of 45 patients availabe for follow-up, after thoracoplasty in 10 out of 12 patients, after surgery due to tuberculous spondylitis – in 25 out of 27 patients, and cerebral tuberculosis – in 5 out of 6.