Abstract
BackgroundHelminths affect the outcome of tuberculosis by shifting cell mediated immune response to humoral and by total suppression of the host immune system. On the reverse, Mycobacterium infection favors immune escape of helminths. Therefore assessing helminth co-infection rate and predisposing factors in tuberculosis patients is mandatory to set strategies for better case management.MethodsFacility based cross-sectional study was conducted in Arba Minch to assess the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal helminths among pulmonary tuberculosis patients from January to August, 2016. A structured questionnaire was used to capture data about socio-demographic characteristics, clinical history and possible risk factors for intestinal helminth infections. Height and weight were measured to calculate body-mass index. Appropriate amount of stool was collected and processed by direct saline and formol-ether concentration techniques following standard protocols. All the data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.ResultsA total of 213 (57.3% male and 42.7% female) pulmonary tuberculosis patients were participated in the study. The overall co-infection rate of intestinal parasites was 26.3%. The infection rate of intestinal helminths account 24.4% and that of intestinal protozoa was 6.1%. Ascaris lumbricoides accounted the highest frequency of 11.3%. Living in rural residence (AOR = 3.175, 95% CI: 1.102–9.153, p = 0.032), Eating vegetables/ fruits without washing or peeling off (AOR = 2.208, 95% CI: 1.030–4.733, p = 0.042) and having body-mass index <18.5 (AOR = 3.511, 95% CI: 1.646–7.489, p = 0.001) were associated with intestinal helminth infection.ConclusionThe infection rate by intestinal helminths was 24.4%. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent helminth. Residence, habit of washing vegetables/fruits before use and body-mass index were associated factors with intestinal helminthiasis. Therefore health care providers should screen and treat TB patients for intestinal helminthiasis in order to ensure good prognosis.
Highlights
Helminths affect the outcome of tuberculosis by shifting cell mediated immune response to humoral and by total suppression of the host immune system
Socio-demographic and clinical data A total of 213 pulmonary TB (PTB) patients participated in the study
Eighty six of them were from Arba Minch hospital while 69, 22 and 36 participants were recruited from Arba Minch, shecha and shellehealth centres respectively
Summary
Helminths affect the outcome of tuberculosis by shifting cell mediated immune response to humoral and by total suppression of the host immune system. Mycobacterium infection favors immune escape of helminths. Assessing helminth co-infection rate and predisposing factors in tuberculosis patients is mandatory to set strategies for better case management. Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world’s major public health problems [1, 2]. TB-high burden countries of the World and Africa respectively. The incidence and mortality (excluding HIV related deaths) because of all forms of TB were 192 and 26/100,000 population, respectively in 2015. It remains one of the leading causes of mortality due to communicable diseases in Ethiopia [1]
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