Pulmonary tuberculosis is a serious airborne-transmitted infectious disease that is caused by significant threat pathogenic bacteria known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is amongst the top ten of the deadliest single infectious agents globally. Pulmonary mycosis is a lung fungal infection that is common among patients who suffer from immune system suppression. PTB and PM have exhibited similar or coordinated risk factors.
Furthermore, recent studies have assumed PTB as a significant PM risk factors. Pulmonary tuberculosis patients were
frequently suggested to have pulmonary fungal coinfection that increased the rate of mortality. This study aimed to
assess the pulmonary mycosis co-infection prevalence in pulmonary tuberculosis Iraqi patients.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study carried out from February to July 2023. The study included 150 participants from patients suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis. Two early morning sputum samples were obtained from each participants. Tuberculosis has been identified using GeneXpert system, whereas mycotic infections have been detected using conventional methods including KOH, culture, and Lactophenol blue stain.
Results: Among 150 Iraqi participants 66.7% (100/150) were positive for PTB, 60% (90/150) were positive for fungal
pathogen. Pulmonary tuberculosis fungal co-infection among PTB patients was seen in 81% (81/100). Candida was the
predominant species participating in pulmonary mycosis. There was a statistically significant association between
pulmonary mycosis and PTB (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: The study found that PTB Iraq patients exhibited a higher pulmonary fungus coinfection prevalence,
Candida is the main pathogenic fungus in pulmonary mycosis, C. albicans being the predominant species.