A study on mycotic infections among sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Salem district

Pulmonary tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis . The cavities in the lungs facilitate the growth of fungi by providing plenty of oxygen and necrotic tissue material. Prolonged chemotherapy in these patients also facilitate fungal infection. This study was done to know the prevalence of fungal infections among pulmonary tuberculosis patients and to identify the common fungi causing infection. A total of 107 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were included in the study. Sputum samples were collected and subjected to Gram staining and KOH mount and then cultured on Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar with gentamycin. About 38% of patients had fungal co-infection. The most common fungi were Candida species (18%) followed by Aspergillus species (15%). Most of the times these fungal infections are not diagnosed and often mistaken for recurrence of tuberculosis. Hence adequate measure must be taken for the early diagnosis and treatment of these opportunistic infections, which are associated with high rate of morbidity and mortality.