Kakinada: Research by Kakinada-based physician Dr Yanamadala Muralikrishna demonstrating the use of the low-cost Mantoux test to assess disease severity in HIV-Tuberculosis (TB) patients has earned international recognition. Dr Muralikrishna also noted that HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis continue to pose a major public health challenge in developing countries. The researcher said the study included 107 HIV-TB patients and 100 tuberculosis patients without HIV, evaluating the usefulness of the Mantoux test in assessing disease severity. Dr Muralikrishna recalled that he had initiated his research on HIV-TB during1998-99 while pursuing postgraduate studies at Sri Rangaraya Medical College. He acknowledged the guidance and support of Prof. Dr Sunnam Satya Sri of the Department of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases during the research.