CD4 and tuberculosis: In order to strengthen data on clinical predictors of M. tuberculosis bacteremia and to assess the effect of M. tuberculosis bacteremia on ART treatment outcomes and toxicities, we conducted a planned analysis of patients enrolled in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5221 strategy study of early versus later initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected persons treated for tuberculosis with CD4 < 250 cells/mm3 (STRIDE), who received a mycobacterial blood culture as part of their baseline evaluation.