Bacterial co-occurrence with pulmonary TB, a respiratory tract infection (RTI): A cross-sectional study in a resource-limited setting
Abstract
Background Bacterial co-infections significantly affect the treatment outcomes of tuberculosis (TB) patients, particularly in resource-limited settings. Misdiagnosis of TB co-infections accelerate disease progression and contribute to the development of drug resistance, leading to higher mortality and morbidity rates, especially in underserved areas. This study aimed to investigate bacterial co-infections in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in a rural Vhembe region of Limpopo, South Africa. Materials and methods A total of 100 sputum together with 100 blood samples were collected from TB patients who were undergoing TB treatment. DNA isolates were used as templates for PCR using the Anyplex™MTB/NTMe Assay kit, and subsequently, the Allplex™ MTB/MDR/XDRe Assay kit was used for the multiple detections of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and resistance to first line and second line anti-TB drugs. Co-infections were determined using the Allplex™ Bacteria(I) & (II) Assay kit. HIV status of patients was determined using blood testing kits. Results Majority of study participants were male (55 %) and aged between 36 and 55 (54 %), while female were 46 % of the population. Bacterial species detected included non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in 67 % of participants, Aeromonas spp. (19 %), Vibrio spp. (2 %), and E. coli (2 %). Multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains were identified in 2 % of the cohort. There was a significant association between employment…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.
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