Multiple-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis among HIV sero-positive and sero-negative populations in Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-Tb) has become a global issue especially in many African countries. Regular studies are needed to ascertain its early detection and elimination in the endemic regions in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates Objective: To assess the frequency of MDR-Tb among HIV sero-positive and sero-negative populations in Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria. Method: Sputum samples were collected from 1,601 subjects provisionally diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) at Sobi Specialist Hospital, Ilorin-Nigeria. Inclusion criteria were based on cough for at least three weeks with no response to antibiotics treatment or when the chest Xray indicated TB infection. From each patient, three specimens were obtained for Ziehl Neelsen staining and 4ml of blood were collected for HIV antibody testing. Results: The frequency of Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) positive cases was 10.86% while 0.72% MDR-Tb and 3.2% concurrent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV were documented. Statistically, no significant association between age and MDR-Tb (X2=0.6731, P>0.05) was found. Conclusion: The study revealed 10.86% of AFB positive cases, 0.74% MDR-Tb cases, and 3.2% concurrent infection between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV. We, therefore, recommend aggressive and effective control measures to prevent further transmission of MDR-Tb between patients and health care workers while increased access to ART for HIV infected MDR-TB patients is also suggested.

Keywords

• multiple-drug resistant tuberculosis
• co-infection
• hiv
• nigeria