Concomitant fungal infections in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis attending respiratory medicine OPD

Introduction: Fungal infections are frequently encountered in clinical practice; especially the incidence of concomitant fungal infection has been increasing among immunocompromised patients. Present study was carried out to identify of fungal pathogens from sputum sample of pulmonary tuberculosis patients and to assess and determine the prevalence of different fungal pathogens in pulmonary tuberculosis patient. Materials and methods: A total of 100 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were interviewed using pretested questionnaires and direct mount and culture of sputum was performed for each. Results: Of 100 patients, the commonest were in the age group 31-40 years (n = 29, 29%) followed by age group 41-50 years (n = 22, 22%). Majority of participants were tea garden workers (n = 36, 36%) followed by daily wage workers (n = 14, 14%). It was observed that 26% (n = 26) were KOH positive and culture positive; 1% (n = 1) was KOH negative and culture positive; 30% (n = 30) were KOH positive and culture negative; 43% (n = 43) were both negative. Highest co infection was with C. albicans (n = 15, 68.18%) followed by C. tropicalis (n = 4, 18.18%). Prevalence of mycotic co infection was highest in Multi-drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB) (60%) followed by Category II (35.71%) than Category I (19.40%) DOTS recipients. The prevalence of fungal infection in male smokers was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Mycotic confection in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis is inevitable. Adequate measures need to be taken for the accurate identification and treatment of these opportunistic infections, which are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality.