Author/Authors :
Asamoah Sakyi, Samuel Department of Molecular Medicine School of Medical Sciences - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana , Owusu Danquah, Kwabena Department of Medical Laboratory Technology - Faculty of Allied Health Sciences - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana , Dadzie Ephraim, Richard Department of Medical Laboratory Technology - School of Allied Health Sciences - University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana , Enimil, Anthony Department of Child Health - School of Medical Sciences - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana , Frimpong, Venus Department of Medical Laboratory Technology - Faculty of Allied Health Sciences - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana , Ahenkorah Fondjo, Linda Department of Molecular Medicine School of Medical Sciences - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana , Love Darkoh, Esther Department of eoretical and Applied Biology - College of Science - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
Abstract :
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of human mortality particularly in association with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Nocardia spp. has emerged as an opportunistic infection especially in HIV patients. The high prevalence of TB and HIV coupled with the lack of a definitive laboratory diagnosis for Nocardia spp. could lead to misdiagnosed pulmonary TB. This study determined the prevalence of pulmonary infections due to Nocardia spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum of HIV and non-HIV patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis at KATH. A total of sixty sputum samples were obtained from HIV and non-HIV patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Samples were examined by fluorescence based Ziehl–Neelsen staining, culture, and PCR methods. The prevalence of Nocardia spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was 18.3% and 20%, respectively, with the latter having the highest rate among patients aged 21–40 years (P=0.075). The prevalence of Nocardia spp. among HIV patients was 90.9% whilst 16.7% of the patients had HIV/Nocardia spp. coinfection. Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by fluorescence-based Ziehl–Neelsen staining, culture, and PCR yielded 9 (15%), 11 (18.3%), and 12 (20%), respectively. There is a high prevalence of nocardiosis especially in HIV patients. PCR is a better diagnostic method that detects both Nocardia spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis and should be incorporated into routine diagnosis for pulmonary infections.
Keywords :
Nocardia spp , mycobacterium tuberculosis , HIV , Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
