Bacterial and Fungal Coinfections among Patients with Tuberculosis in Africa: A Systematic Review
Koidima Mamou Sophie Odette1,2,
Paré Jean Eudes Saïdou3, Millogo Ouédalo Nadège
1,2,
Zoungrana Arouna10,
Ouédraogo Oumarou1,2,
Kpoda Dissinviel Stéphane14,
Dabiré Sanhitouo Charlemagne1,2,
Zoromé Ali9,
Kabré Jeanne Françoise6,
Tiendrebéogo Harouna6,
Kaboré Boukaré1,2,
Zaongo Silvère Dieudonné8,
Sagna Tani1,
Compaoré Tegwendé Rebeca1,
Soubeiga Serge Théophile1,
Tamboura Mamadou7,
Ouédraogo Henri Gautier3,
Zongo Cheikna2,
Savadogo Aly2, Sanou Mahamoudou
2,
Ouédraogo/Traoré Rasmata2 and
Kambiré Dinanibè1,2
1Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Département Biomédical et Santé Publique, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 2Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Unité de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Laboratoire de Biochimie Immunologie Appliquée, , Burkina Faso 3Programme National de Lutte contre la Tuberculose, Centre National de Lutte Anti-Tuberculeuse, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 4Centre Universitaire de Ziniaré, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ziniaré, Burkina Faso 5Direction de la pharmacie Sainte Rachel, Pharmacie Sainte Rachel, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 6Hôpital Paul 6, Service des laboratoires, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 7Organisation Mondiale de la Santé, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 8Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China 9Direction générale de la santé, Centre de Santé de Référence du District de Bamako, Bamako, Mali 10Agence Nationale pour la Sécurité Sanitaire de l’Environnement, de l’Alimentation, du Travail et des Produits de Santé, Burkina Faso
*Corresponding author
Abstract:
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge in Africa, where HIV prevalence varies considerably across countries but remains, overall, higher than the global average. Limited diagnostic capacity and the growing emergence of antimicrobial resistance further contribute to unfavorable treatment outcomes. Bacterial and fungal coinfections may complicate TB diagnosis and treatment, yet evidence from Africa remains fragmented. This systematic review aimed to synthesize available data on the prevalence, microbiological profiles, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and clinical implications of bacterial and fungal coinfections among TB patients in Africa. A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, ProQuest Central, and African Journals Online were searched for studies reporting bacterial and/or fungal coinfections among TB patients in Africa. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers using validated tools (NOS, AXIS, and JBI). Due to substantial methodological heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was performed. Thirteen studies from nine African countries were included. Bacterial coinfections included non-tuberculous mycobacteria (13.9% to 36.6%), Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Nocardia spp. Fungal coinfections included chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (3.5%), Candida albicans (35.0%), dimorphic fungi (9.2%), and cryptococcosis. High levels of antimicrobial resistance were reported, including extended beta-lactam resistance among K. pneumoniae isolates and fluconazole resistance in 92.5% of fungal isolates. HIV coinfection frequently exacerbated disease severity and opportunistic infections. Bacterial and fungal coinfections among TB patients in Africa appear common and likely underdiagnosed. Strengthening microbiological and mycological diagnostic capacity, integrating antimicrobial resistance surveillance into TB programs, and conducting standardized multicenter studies are urgently needed to improve patient outcomes.
Keywords:
Tuberculosis; coinfection; bacteria; fungi; antimicrobial resistance; Africa
References:
- Global Tuberculosis Report 2023. 1st ed. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023.
- Chem ED, Van Hout MC, Hope V. Treatment outcomes and antiretroviral uptake in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV co-infected patients in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis. 2019; 19: 723. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-019-4317-4
- Kuate MPN, Ekeng BE, Kwizera R, Mandengue C, Bongomin F. Histoplasmosis overlapping with HIV and tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and research priorities. Ther Adv Infect Dis. 2021; 8: 20499361211008675. https://doi.org/10.1177/20499361211008675
- Cortacans M, Gogichadze N, Soldevilla P, Stojanovic Z, Akkerman O, Duarte R, Vilaplana C. Secondary infections following tuberculosis: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical implications. Breathe (Sheff). January 27, 2026; 22(1): 250055.
- Cioboata R, Balteanu MA, Osman A, Vlasceanu SG, Zlatian OM, Mitroi DM, Catana OM, Socaci A, Tieranu EN. Coinfections in Tuberculosis in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Epidemiology, Clinical Implications, Diagnostic Challenges, and Management Strategies—A Narrative Review. J Clin Med. 2025 Mar 21; 14(7): 2154.
- Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators. The burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in the WHO African Region in 2019: a cross-country systematic analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2024; 12: e201–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00539-9
- Bir R, Ranjan R, Gunasekaran J, Chatterjee K, Karteeka D, Rai A, Gupta S, Karlapudi P, Joshi I, Gupta RM. Prevalence of Co-infection with Culture-Confirmed Bacterial Pathogens in Patients with Microbiologically Confirmed Pulmonary Tuberculosis at a Tertiary Care Center. Cureus. Aug 8, 2024; 16(8): e66482.
- Micheni LN, Deyno S, Bazira J. Mycobacterium tuberculosis mixed infections and drug resistance in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. Afr Health Sci. 2022; 22: 560–72. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v22i1.65
- Gualdi-Russo E, Zaccagni L. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for Assessing the Quality of Studies in Systematic Reviews. Publications. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute; 2026; 14: 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/publications14010004
- Downes MJ, Brennan ML, Williams HC, Dean RS. Development of a critical appraisal tool to assess the quality of cross-sectional studies (AXIS). BMJ Open. British Medical Journal Publishing Group; 2016; 6: e011458. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011458
- Aromataris E, Lockwood C, Porritt K, Pilla B, Jordan Z, editors. JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis (Internet). JBI; 2024 (cited May 24, 2026). https://doi.org/10.46658/JBIMES-24-01
- Chanda-Kapata P, Ntoumi F, Kapata N, Lungu P, Mucheleng’anga LA, Chakaya J, et al., Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and Malaria Health Services in Sub-Saharan Africa—A Situation- n Analysis of the Disruptions and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Infect Dis. 2022; 124: S41–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2022.03.033
- Shiboski CH, Chen H, Ghannoum MA, Komarow L, Evans S, Mukherjee PK, et al., Role of oral candidiasis in TB and HIV co-infection: AIDS Clinical Trial Group Protocol A5253. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis Off J Int Union Tuberc Lung Dis. 2014; 18: 682–8. https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.13.0729
- Attah I, Danladi J, Kase SN, Dennis A, Ninani G, Buru SA, et al., Comparison of bacterial co-infections and antibiotic resistance patterns in confirmed and non-tuberculosis patients presenting with presumptive pulmonary TB symptoms in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2026; 114: 117236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2025.117236
- Hoza AS, Mfinanga SGM, Rodloff AC, Moser I, König B. Increased isolation of nontuberculous mycobacteria among TB suspects in northeastern Tanzania: public health and diagnostic implications for control programs. BMC Res Notes. 2016; 9: 109. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-016-1928-3
- Aliyu G, El-Kamary SS, Abimiku A, Brown C, Tracy K, Hungerford L, et al., Prevalence of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections among Tuberculosis Suspects in Nigeria. PLOS ONE. Public Library of Science; 2013; 8: e63170. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0063170
- Chanda-Kapata P, Kapata N, Klinkenberg E, Mulenga L, Tembo M, Katemangwe P, et al., Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Zambia: prevalence, clinical, radiological, and microbiological characteristics. BMC Infect Dis. 2015; 15: 500. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-015-1264-6
- Mhimbira F, Hiza H, Mbuba E, Hella J, Kamwela L, Sasamalo M, et al., Prevalence and clinical significance of respiratory viruses and bacteria detected in tuberculosis patients compared to household contact controls in Tanzania: a cohort study. Clin Microbiol Infect, the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 2019; 25: 107.e1-107.e7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2018.03.019
- Sakyi SA, Danquah KO, Ephraim RD, Enimil A, Frimpong V, Ahenkorah Fondjo L, et al., Evaluating the Contribution of Nocardia spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis to Pulmonary Infections among HIV and Non-HIV Patients at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol J Can Mal Infect Microbiol Medicale. 2018; 2018: 2910198. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/2910198
- Meli H, Cissoko Y, Konaté I, Soumaré M, Fofana A, Dembélé JP, et al., Tuberculosis-HIV coinfection complicated by a nosocomial superinfection with Klebsiella pneumoniae: a report of 4 cases in an Infectious Diseases Unit in Mali. Pan Afr Med J (Internet). 2020 (cited May 24, 2026); 37. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2020.37.141.22716
- Page ID, Byanyima R, Hosmane S, Onyachi N, Opira C, Richardson M, et al., Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis commonly complicates treated pulmonary tuberculosis with residual cavitation. Eur Respir J. 2019; 53: 1801–184. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01184-2018
- Ngei Kuria JK, Mogoi D, Gachuhi SG. Co-infection by dimorphic fungi in tuberculosis patients in Kenya. Int J Mycobacteriology. 2020; 9: 116–20. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_44_20
- Sani FM, Uba A, Tahir F, Abdullahi IN, Adekola HA, Mustapha J, et al., Spectrum of pulmonary fungal pathogens, associated risk factors, and antifungal susceptibility patterns among individuals with presumptive tuberculosis in Gombe, Nigeria. Int J Mycobacteriology. 2020; 9: 144–9. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_46_20
- Gbané-Koné M, Ouali B, Mègne E, Diomandé M, Coulibaly AK, Eti E, et al., Neuromeningeal cryptococcosis and bone tuberculosis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report. Pan Afr Med J (Internet). 2015 (cited May 24, 2026); 20. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2015.20.109.6055
- Bekaoui S, Haddiya I, Housni SE, ElHarraqui R, Rhou H, Benamar L, et al., Tuberculous spondylodiscitis in a kidney transplant recipient complicated by systemic mycosis. Pan Afr Med J (Internet). 2014 (cited 2026 May 24); 19. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2014.19.22.2878
- Daley CL, Iaccarino JM, Lange C, Cambau E, Richard J. Wallace J, Andrejak C, et al., Treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease: an official ATS/ERS/ESCMID/IDSA clinical practice guideline. Eur Respir J (Internet). European Respiratory Society; 2020 (cited May 24, 2026); 56. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.00535-2020
- Pai M, Behr MA, Dowdy D, Dheda K, Divangahi M, Boehme CC, et al., Nat Rev Dis Primer. Nature Publishing Group; 2016; 2: 16076. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2016.76
- Denning DW, Pleuvry A, Cole DC. Global burden of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis as a sequel to pulmonary tuberculosis. Bull World Health Organ. 2011; 89: 864–72. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.11.089441
- Kosmidis C, Denning DW. The clinical spectrum of pulmonary aspergillosis. Thorax. 2015; 70: 270–7. https://doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-206291
- Patil S, Rao RS, Majumdar B, Anil S. Clinical Appearance of Oral Candida Infection and Therapeutic Strategies. Front Microbiol. 2015; 6: 1391. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2015.01391
- Getahun H, Gunneberg C, Granich R, Nunn P. HIV infection-associated tuberculosis: the epidemiology and the response. Clin Infect Dis Off Publ Infect Dis Soc Am. 2010; 50 Suppl 3: S201-207. https://doi.org/10.1086/651492
- Rajasingham R, Smith RM, Park BJ, Jarvis JN, Govender NP, Chiller TM, et al., Global burden of disease of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis: an updated analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2017; 17: 873–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30243-8
- Wyres KL, Lam MMC, Holt KE. Population genomics of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2020; 18: 344–59. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-019-0315-1
- Pendleton JN, Gorman SP, Gilmore BF. Clinical relevance of the ESKAPE pathogens. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2013; 11: 297–308. https://doi.org/10.1586/eri.13.12
- Verweij PE, Chowdhary A, Melchers WJG, Meis JF. Azole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus: Can We Retain the Clinical Use of Mold-Active Antifungal Azoles? Clin Infect Dis Off Publ Infect Dis Soc Am. 2016; 62: 362–8. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/civ885
Download this article as
How to cite this article:
Koidima Mamou Sophie Odette, Paré Jean Eudes Saïdou, Millogo Ouédalo Nadège, Zoungrana Arouna, Ouédraogo Oumarou, Kpoda Dissinviel Stéphane, Dabiré Sanhitouo Charlemagne, Zoromé Ali, Kabré Jeanne Françoise, Tiendrebéogo Harouna, Kaboré Boukaré, Zaongo Silvère Dieudonné, Sagna Tani, Compaoré Tegwendé Rebeca, Soubeiga Serge Théophile, Tamboura Mamadou, Ouédraogo Henri Gautier, Zongo Cheikna, Savadogo Aly, Sanou Mahamoudou, Ouédraogo/Traoré Rasmata and Kambiré Dinanibè. 2026. Bacterial and Fungal Coinfections among Patients with Tuberculosis in Africa: A Systematic Review.
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci.
15(7): 47-61
doi:
https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2026.1507.005
Citations