ABSTRACT
Background: Although a third of people with tuberculosis (TB) are estimated to be coinfected with helminths, the prevalence is largely unknown among people with drug-resistant TB (DR-TB). We determined the prevalence of helminth coinfection among people with DR-TB in Uganda. Methods: In a multicenter, cross-sectional study, eligible Ugandan adults with confirmed DR-TB were consecutively enrolled between July to December 2021 at 4 treatment centers. Sociodemographic data were collected using a questionnaire. Participants underwent anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, and blood samples were evaluated for random blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, nonfasting lipid profile, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and a complete blood count. Fresh stool samples were evaluated for adult worms, eggs, and larvae using direct microscopy after Kato-Katz concentration techniques. Results: Of 212 participants, 156 (73.6%) were male, 118 (55.7%) had HIV, and 3 (2.8%) had malaria coinfection. The prevalence of intestinal helminth coinfection was 4.7% (10/212) (95% confidence interval, 2.6%-8.6%). The frequency of helminth infections was Ancylostoma duodenale (n = 4), Schistosoma mansoni (n = 2), Enterobius vermicularis (n = 2), Ascaris lumbricoides (n = 1), and Trichuris trichiura (n = 1). Conclusions: The prevalence of helminth coinfection was low among people with DR-TB. More studies are needed to determine the clinical relevance of helminth/DR-TB coinfection.
ABSTRACT
Individuals found at bars in slums have several risk factors for HIV and tuberculosis (TB). To determine the prevalence of HIV and TB among individuals found at bars in slums of Kampala, Uganda, we enrolled adults found at bars that provided written informed consent. Individuals with alcohol intoxication were excluded. We performed HIV testing using immunochromatographic antibody tests (Alere Determine HIV-1/2 and Chembio HIV 1/2 STAT-PAK). TB was confirmed using the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay, performed on single spot sputum samples. We enrolled 272 participants from 42 bars in 5 slums. The prevalence of HIV and TB was 11.4% (95% CI 8.1-15.8) and 15 (95% CI 6-39) per 1,000 population respectively. Predictors of HIV were female sex (aOR 5.87, 95% CI 2.05-16.83), current cigarette smoking (aOR 3.23, 95% CI 1.02-10.26), history of TB treatment (aOR 10.19, 95% CI 3.17-32.82) and CAGE scores of 2-3 (aOR 3.90, 95% CI 1.11-13.70) and 4 (aOR 4.77, 95% CI 1.07-21.35). The prevalence of HIV and TB was twice and four times the national averages respectively. These findings highlight the need for concurrent programmatic screening for both HIV and TB among high risk populations in slums.
