Fungal Isolates: Characterization & Correlation with Pulmonary TB

Deepika Bahuguna did her B. Sc. Medical Microbiology from HNB Garhwal University, Uttrakhand, India and M.Sc. Medical Microbiology from MMIMSR, Ambala, Haryana, India. She is working as Tutor/Demonstrator in Dr. Sushila Tiwari Government Medical College, Haldwani, Uttrakhand, India. She has published papers in several journals of repute.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest diseases known to affect humans, caused by number of bacteria of genus Mycobacterium and is a major cause of death worldwide. An untreated case of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) can lead to complications including progressive loss of lungs function, persistent pulmonary symptoms and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. The danger of mycoses threatening life either as complications in TB or pulmonary mycoses relatively by themselves is not grossly damaging. But when superimposed in conditions like TB, their impact on the morbidity & mortality pattern renders them vitally important. Recent past bears evidence to the fact that mycoses represent a greater health burden & challenge to the people. The rate of opportunistic fungal infection in TB patients is very high. The reasons for increased prevalence are lowering of immune system due to TB and the use of antituberculosis drugs of non-specific action which promote the growth & reproduction of the fungus flora. The commonest among fungi being Candida species are found in sputum specimens suspected of TB. Patients with smear positive tuberculosis may provide suitable node for fungal colonization.