Prevalence of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Two (2) Tuberculosis Treatment Clinics in Lagos, Nigeria: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is an underrecognized but common complication of pulmonary tuberculosis. In Nigeria, a tuberculosis-endemic country, there is currently no provision to monitor the development of CPA in patients treated for tuberculosis. This study determined the prevalence and incidence of CPA in Lagos, Nigeria.

METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study of patients with previously managed tuberculosis was conducted between June 2021 and May 2022. The study cohorts were assessed at 3-month intervals, and the following were collected: sociodemographic data, chest radiographic findings, sputum samples for fungal culture, and venous blood samples for Aspergillus immunoglobulin G estimation. CPA cases were determined using the case definition for resource-constrained countries. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used, and significance was set at a probability of 5% ( P < .05).

RESULTS: Of the 141 patients recruited, 79 (56.0%) were in the retreatment and 62 (44.0%) in the posttreatment tuberculosis group. The median age (interquartile range) was 40 (30-52) years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.1:1. Ninety-seven patients (69%) had a GeneXpert test done, of whom 63 (64.9%) were GeneXpert negative. Cough was the most common symptom, with 15 (11%) patients having hemoptysis. The rate of CPA increased steadily as the study progressed: 44 (31.2%) at commencement, 45 (34.9%) at 3 months, 49 (42.6%) at 6 months, and 51 (54.3%) at 9 months. Thus, the overall prevalence of CPA was 49.7%, and the incidence was 6.1%.

CONCLUSIONS: CPA is common in Nigeria and its true burden may still be underestimated. Increased awareness of CPA as a posttuberculosis lung disease is advocated. Evaluation for CPA should be incorporated in patients' work-up for tuberculosis.