Title: Spectrum of Respiratory Pathogens, especially Filamentous Fungi causing Lower Respiratory Tract co-infections in cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Authors: Anisa Pal, Sandeep Nanda

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i5.179

Abstract

This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Western India[1] To determine the spectrum and prevalence of pathogens in lower respiratory tract co-infections, in Pulmonary TB cases, with special emphasis on the filamentous fungi.[2] To find out the relative risk of acquiring these infections in patients having TB-HIV co infection as compared to the patients having pulmonary TB without HIV.

Methodology: Lower respiratory specimens from 167 cases of pulmonary TB, admitted with respiratory complications were subjected to bacterial and fungal microscopy, cultures and identification. Giemsa Staining was done for detection of Pneumocystis carinii cysts.

Results: [1] Fungal pathogens found in 14.37% cases, out of which, 9.6% were candida sp. and 4.2% were fungal moulds while, Pneumocystis carinii cysts detected in 0.6%. [2] The moulds isolated were Fusarium sp.-- 1.8%, Aspergillus fumigatus-- 1.2%, Mucor sp.-- 1(0.6%) and Trichosporon sp.—1 (0.6%). [3] Bacterial pathogens found in 57.48% cases (44.3% mono-bacterial, 13.2% multibacterial coinfection), most common ones being, Klebsiella sp., and Pseudomonas sp. [5] Bacterial and fungal coinfection found in 10.18% cases. [6] TB and HIV co infection found in 4.2% cases and the relative risk of acquiring a respiratory filamentous fungal infection in patients having PTB+HIV co infection found to be 2.1, as compared to those having PTB without HIV. Thus, knowledge of the pathogen spectrum and prevalence of respiratory co-infections with TB (in a particular region), is essential for maintaining a high index of suspicion for the same, and for better patient management.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, Oppurtunistic Fungi, Filamentous Fungi, Moulds, TB –HIV coinfection.

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Corresponding Author

Anisa Pal

Consultant Microbiologist (MD) and Hospital Infection Control Officer

Jabalpur Hospital and Research Centre, Jaabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

Tel: 9662740857, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.