Prevalence of Intestinal Helminth Coinfection in Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Uganda

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. Keywords. DR-TB; drug-resistant tuberculosis; helminth; MDR; TB; worms