Abstract:

Background: Patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) are often faced with the risk of opportunistic infections such as pulmonary aspergillosis. The similarity in clinical presentation between pulmonary TB and pulmonary aspergillosis makes it hard to determine the etiological cause on initial assessment which complicates management of these patients. knowing the status of TB patients with regards to pulmonary aspergillosis is crucial for initiating timely management which leads to good prognosis of the patient, therefore; this study was designed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with pulmonary aspergillosis among patients with pulmonary TB in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methodology: This was a hospital based cross sectional study conducted from May to July 2024 which enrolled a total of 108 TB patients from Bugando Medical centre and Buzuruga Health Center. Sputum samples were collected and cultured onto Sabourad dextrose agar (SDA), identification of Aspergillus spp., was based on colony morphology on SDA and lactophenol cotton blue staining. Socio demographic and clinical data of study participants were analysed using STATA version 15.

Results: A total of 108 TB patients were enrolled in this study, their median age was 32 [IQR: 28-47] years, majority of the study participants were of the male gender 57.4% (62/108). This study obtained a prevalence of 11% (12/108) for microbiologically confirmed pulmonary aspergillosis among TB patients predominated by Aspergillus fumigatus. Lack of adherence to TB treatment regime was significantly associated with pulmonary aspergillosis

Conclusion: For patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, 11 out 100 have pulmonary aspergillosis which is predominantly caused by A. fumigatus. Lack of adherence to TB treatment regime increases the risk of acquiring pulmonary aspergillosis among patients with pulmonary TB.