Drug Resistant Non-acid Fast Bacteria Pathogens, Isolated from Tuberculosis (TB) Patients with Known HIV Status from the North West Region of Cameroon

Aims: To investigate the prevalence of Non-Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) bacterial pathogens from TB patients with known HIV status as well as their resistant patterns to commonly used antibiotics.

Study Design: This was a cross sectional laboratory based study.

Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology/Bacteriology Unit, Bamenda Regional Hospital, from July 2014 to March 2015.

Methodology: We collected sputum from 111 newly diagnosed TB patients who were referred to do a sputum test at the Bamenda General Hospital TB unit. Sixty one (61) were men, 50 women, 70 HIV positive, 41 HIV negative with age ranging from 20-80 years. Data on Socio-demographic factors as well as clinical history were collected using structured questionnaires. One early morning sputum sample was examined microscopically and cultured on blood and chocolate agars. Antimicrobial sensitivity test was then performed for all the isolates using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.

Results: Non-MTB bacterial pathogens were recorded in 43 (38.7%) of the 111 participants in this study. Thirty (42.85%) non-acid fast bacteria was found amongst the 70 HIV positive cases, higher than in the HIV negative group 13/41 (31.70%). These pathogens were also higher in females 24 (55.8%) than in males 19 (44.2%). Bacteria isolated included 28 S. aureus, 12 S. pneumoniae and 6 P. aeruginosa. Although, the prevalence was higher in the HIV positive group and in females, the differences in both cases were not statistically significant (P= .523, .324 respectively). Upon antimicrobial sensitivity testing all the isolates showed high susceptibility to Gentamicin (73.9%), Ciprofloxacin (71.1%) and Chloramphenicol (71.7%) but were all resistant to Penicillin (100.0%), Oxacillin (87.3%) and Amoxicillin (96.1%).

Conclusion: HIV patients were more at risk of developing other Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI) with non MTB bacteria implicated. Therefore in the treatment of tuberculosis, considerations should be made about Non MTB bacterial pathogens and their treatment as well.