Detection of pulmonary tuberculosis and COVID-19 co-infection in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary tuberculosis and COVID-19 have shared some similarities in term of clinical manifestations and modes of  transmission. COVID-19 could increase the mortality rate of tuberculosis. Consequently, pulmonary tuberculosis and COVID-19 co- infection could be a major public health concern. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and  COVID-19 coinfection in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. 

Method: Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA, was detected using  GeneXpert (Cepheid, USA), on the sputum of suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgM and IgG) was detected  using the Accu-Tell rapid kit (AccuBio Techn Co, Ltd kit) on the blood plasma of suspected pulmonary tuberculosis cases. SARS-CoV-2 RNA  amplification was then performed using the TaqPath kit (Applied Biosystems), with the QuantStudio 5 thermocycler on nasopharyngeal  swabs from patients found positive for pulmonary tuberculosis. 

Results: The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis was 27.54% (65/236).  Among tuberculosis-positive patients who accepted the COVID-19 serological test, co-infection was 12.5% (3/24). The prevalence of  Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to rifampicin was 9.23%. Males and patients aged 40 and below were the most likely to be infected  with pulmonary tuberculosis at 76.90% and 66.20% respectively. Seroprevalence of COVID-19 was 12.63%. 

Conclusion:   Pulmonary tuberculosis and COVID-19 co-infection was a reality in this study.