Concomitant presence of culture-proven active pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - A hospital based study

Objective: To find out the prevalence of concomitant active pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) in patients of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) using the gold standard liquid and solid culture media for the detection of acid fast bacillus.

Methods: Eighty clinically and radiologically diagnosed cases of COPD of any severity, ≥40 years of age with no previous history of anti-tuberculous therapy were selected from department of Pulmonology, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Detailed demographic profile, clinical symptomatology and history of smoking were recorded. Sputum samples of these patients were subjected to ZiehlNeelsen (ZN) stain and culture on Lowenstein-Jensen (L.J) medium and Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) for the detection and isolation of Mycobacteriumtuberculosis (MTB).

Results: Out of 80 COPD patients, 6 (7.5%) were culture positive for acid fast bacillus consistent with active tuberculous infection. The concomitance was more prevalent in elderly, male, smokers. MGIT was a more sensitive and a rapid technique to detect the presence of mycobacterium as compared to LJ culture media and ZN stain.

Conclusion: The prevalence of active TB in COPD patients was 7.5%. Detection was improved when liquid culture media was employed for the detection of acid fast bacillus. Regular monitoring and screening of patients with COPD for PTB should be routinely carried out in susceptible cohort to avoid cross spreading of infection and appropriate management.