Abstract

Background: Infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a continuous problem in patient especially in developing country, due to its infectious nature, complex immunological response, chronic progression and the need for long-term treatment, TB has always been a major health burden; in more recent years, associated with its severe social implications, treating and preventing TB have represented a permanent challenge over the course of human history.
Objectives: Our study aimed to carry out a center-based cross sectional study on Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from January 2015 till November 2019, rate of Tuberculosis among age group, gender, site of infection and extra pulmonary sub- diagnosis.
Materials and Methods: Totally 1061 tuberculosis patients from January 2015 till November 2019. were collected from Chest and Respiratory Disease Center/Erbil-Iraq. Identified by using macroscopical, microscopical. Acid fast stain was performed, isolates were characterized by using Gene xpert. Sputum smear-positive tuberculosis (PTB) patients diagnosed were enrolled and then were cultured at Löwenstein–Jensen (LJ) medium. Statistical analysis was performed.
Results: A total of (1061) samples were collected from eight sources (abscess, peritoneal fluid, pleural effusion, spinal cord, sputum, tissue biopsy, urine), the number of cases increased from 2015 to 2019 distributed as 198(18.7%) positive cases in 2015, 196(18.5%) in 2016, 208(19.6%) in 2017, in 2018 238(22.4%) and 221(20.8%) in
2019. From 2015 to 2019 the percentage of males infected with M.tuberculosis were more than the females being 520/1061(49.0%) and males being 541/1061(50.9%,there was highly significant correlation (p < 0.0009) between bacteria and genders, infections by TB increased among age groups (25-34) being 207/1061(19.53%) and elderly patients(above 65) being 222/1061 (20.94%), there was significant correlation between bacteria and age group, (p<0.009) Cases of extra pulmonary tuberculosis 595(56.1%) were more than pulmonary tuberculosis infection 466(43.9%). Lymph nodes was major site of extra pulmonary tuberculosis infection being 189/595(31.8%) among all five years.
Conclusions: The study findings showed a significant distribution of tuberculosis which may increase the burden of healthcare-associated infections. Although is essential for the appropriate treatment of TB patients and the prevention of spread of drug-resistant strains. Moreover. New molecular tools are now used in many countries as part of a standard laboratory diagnosis. Nevertheless, there is still a lot to be done, especially in our country where fast identification and early treatment are needed.