Tuberculosis-Candida Co-Infection in Patients having Pulmonary Tuberculosis Attending DOTs Clinic in Rumuigbo Model Primary Health Centre in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Introduction: Some pulmonary tuberculosis subjects were some co-infected with Candida such as C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. kruezi and C. paraspsilosis which were initially thought to be normal floras of the oral cavity. The percentage of tuberculosis patients co-infected with Candida is becoming a concern and might complicate the treatment of tuberculosis.

Materials and Methods: A total of 400 sputum samples were collected and subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique and Genexpert system, Gram’s stain, Germ tube test and examination in KOH preparation were conducted. Culture on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar with gentamicin, and cultured on CHROMagar Candida and sugar fermentation were carried out for Candida.

Results: Out of the 400 sputum samples examined 93(23.3%) had TB and 32(8.0%) were positive for Candida. By gender the prevalence of tuberculosis were females 51(22.4%), males 42(24.4%) while the prevalence of Candida were females 18(35.3%) and males 14(33.3%). The percentage occurrences of Candida sp. isolated were C. albicans which was the predominant species 10(21.5%), C. tropicals 5(5.4%), C. krusei 4(4.3%) and C. Parapsilosis 3(3.2%) respectively.

Conclusion: Candida albicans remains the most predominant species of Candida in patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and colonization by Candida sp should not be ignored. The presence of Candida sp. might contribute to in one way to the progression of the disease.