Prevalence of Malaria and TB Coinfection at a National Tuberculosis Treatment Centre in Uganda

The prevalence of malaria and tuberculosis (TB) coinfection is not well established in countries that are highly burdened for both diseases. Malaria could impair TB containment and increase mortality of TB patients. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria/TB coinfection among bacteriologically confirmed adult TB patients at a national TB treatment centre in Uganda. Using a cross-sectional study design we enrolled 363 bacteriologically confirmed adult TB patients, and data on demographics and medical history was collected. Blood samples were tested for malaria blood smear, rapid malaria diagnostic test (RDT), complete blood count, haematological film analysis, HIV serology, and CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts. Malaria was defined as either a positive blood smear or RDT. The study participants were mostly male (61.4%), with a median age of 31 (interquartile range, IQR: 25-39) years, and 35.8% were HIV positive. The prevalence of malaria was 2.2% (8/363) on the overall and 5% (3/58) among participants with rifampicin resistance. A triple infection of HIV, malaria, and rifampicin resistant TB was observed in 3 participants. The prevalence of malaria among TB patients is low, and further evaluation of the epidemiological, clinical, and immunological interaction of the two diseases is warranted.