Finally, PC1 of the measures of TB disease extent and PC1 of the Mtb‐specific IFNγ+ CD4 T cell phenotype at baseline showed strong correlation (P < 0.0001; r = −0.71), irrespective of HIV infection (P < 0.0001; r = −0.78 for HIV− and P < 0.0001; r = −0.67 for HIV+, data not shown; Figure 7a), indicating that, unlike the magnitude of Mtb‐specific CD4 response,32 the phenotypic characteristics of these cells associate with TB disease activity. This evidence concerns the gene CD4 and HIV infectious disease.