High Prevalence of Bacterial Pathogens in Sputum of Tuberculosis Suspected Patients in Buea

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of non AFB (acid fast bacilli) bacterial pathogens among HIV positive and HIV negative TB suspected patients.

Study Design: A cross sectional laboratory based study was used.

Place and Duration of Study: Tuberculosis Unit, Buea Regional Hospital, between February and May 2015.

Methodology: We included 145 TB suspected patients referred to do a sputum test (82 women, 63 men, 44 HIV positive, 101 HIV negative, age range 21-70 years). Socio-demographic factors and clinical history were abstracted using structured questionnaires. One early morning sputum sample was examined microscopically and cultured on blood, chocolate and MacConkey’s agars

Results: Non AFB bacterial infections were identified in 89 (61.4%) out of the 145 study participants. The prevalence of non AFB bacterial infection in the HIV positive group (33 0ut 0f 44) was significantly higher than in the HIV negative group (56 out of 101), (P= .032). Bacteria isolated included 42 S. pneumoniae, 19 H. influenzae, 15 K. pneumoniae, 14 other enterobacteriaceae, 11 P. aeruginosa and 7 S. aureus. Although the prevalence of bacterial infection was 67.1% in females and 54% in males, the difference was not statistically significant (P =.149).

Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of non AFB bacterial pathogens among TB suspected patients. HIV positivity significantly increased the risk of developing LRTIs.