A survey of co-infection of some pathogenic bacteria with TB in patients attending Federal Medical Center Katsina, Nigeria

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is known to be one of the oldest forms of human diseases which still remain the leading cause of death worldwide. It is characterized as a pulmonary disease which occurs due to accumulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) onto the lungs alveolar surfaces. M. tuberculosis is an implicated pathogenic bacteria associated with T.B. It is the chronic infectious disease caused by the tubercle bacillus (M. tuberculosis). This study was aimed to determine co-infection of other pathogenic bacteria within MTB patients attending Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Katsina. The study design was cross-sectional, conducted to isolate some pathogenic bacteria that co-infected TB patients who are Acid fast bacilli (AFB) positive and AFB negative. The samples obtained were cultured on Blood, Chocolate and MacConkey agar and incubated at 37oC for 24 hours. Pure isolates were confirmed using Grams Staining and biochemical reaction. Data obtained were presented as simple percentage and using statistical analysis which revealed that the incidence was common among the age categories 51-60 with 28%, followed by those ≥60 years with 20%. The lowest prevalence was recorded the at age category 11-20 with 10%. Based on gender, males presented with the higher incidence (35/50) i.e. 70% than female (15/50) i.e. 30%. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphyllococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most prevalent organisms isolated with 21.9%, 19.66% and 19.10% respectively. E. coli with 05.62% being had the least isolates. The research demonstrated the existence of both Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial pathogens that co-infect with TB patients, especially among the elderly males. Further research should be tailored towards investigating other pathogens that co-infect with MTB patients, such as fungi and viruses, in diversified hospitals in Katsina state and beyond.   Keywords: AFB, Pathogenic bacteria, Tuberculosis and Mycobacterium and Federal Medical Centre, Katsina.