Abstract:
Background: Today it is known that TB and HIV/AIDS are the two of the world's major pandemics. HIV infection is now prevalent, to varying degree, in all areas of the world where TB is prevalent. The pandemic of HIV/ AIDS opened a new chapter on the role of mycobacteria in causing human disease in both the developed and less – developed world.
Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize and genotype Mycobacterium TB isolated from HIV/AIDS patients. The study was conducted in West Darfur State during August 2012 through June 2015.
Materials and Methods: The study samples (sputum) were collected from two groups: people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) (N=158) and TB suspected patients that were negative for HIV (N=1160).The study samples have been stained by ZN stain and screened for the presence of AFB using the microscope. All ZN stain positive samples (N=206) with other negative sputum samples (n=15) taken from PLWHA were subjected to DNA extraction by the modified Guanidine Chloride Method. The samples then processed by PCR technique which confirmed the results of the microscopy. Selected PCR amplified DNA samples were sent to Macrogen Company in Korea for DNA sequencing.
Results: Six of the (PLWHA)(3.8%) were found to be positive for AFB, of which (66.7%) were males and( 33.3%) were females , the most affected age group was 31-40 years (50%) , followed by 41-50 years (33.3% ) which indicate negative impacts from the economical and social point of view. Of the total sputum samples taken from TB suspected patients and negative for HIV (200) samples were found positive for AFB (17.2%). the results of DNA sequencing achieved from Macrogen
Company in Korea revealed high similarity to the reference laboratory strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv).
Conclusion: The study concluded that the prevalence of TB among (PLWHA) in the study area is low. Further comprehensive studies applying advanced molecular techniques were highly recommended nationally and in the study area as well
