Fungi are emerging significant pathogens mainly as opportunist in individuals with impaired immunity; particularly in people living with HIV, diabetes, cancer as well as those treated with toxic chemotherapy [1]. Certain species of fungi are also capable of invading and causing disease in immunocompetent individuals. The increase in incidence of fungal infections has been exacerbated by the escalation of immune debilitating conditions such as HIV [2]. Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health threat in Kenya and the country is listed among the 30 high burden countries [3]. A prevalence survey that was carried out in 2016 confirmed that Kenya’s TB burden is higher than previously estimated. The highest burden was recorded in young men of the reproductive age group 25 - 34 years [4]. Fungal spores being ubiquitous can colonize pre-existing TB cavities in the lungs. Tuberculosis retreatment cases respond poorly to anti TB medication and it is thought that there exists a synergistic growth relationship between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and fungal respiratory pathogens among other co-morbidities [5]. The most common respiratory fungal diseases include: candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis and mucormycosis [6] .

The WHO estimates that more than a million people develop chronic pulmonary aspergillosis after being treated for TB every year [7]. Majority of the cases occur in countries with high burden of TB including Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Sub Saharan Africa. Due to fungal diagnostic challenges, almost half of those who develop the disease die within five years [7]. The symptoms of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) i.e. weight loss, severe shortness of breath, fatigue and coughing up blood are similar to those of TB that cannot be differentiated clinically. This often leads to misdiagnosis and subsequent inappropriate treatment. Fungal infection can progress undetected for years until it is too late for antifungal intervention [8].

Around one-third of TB patients develop cavities in their lungs, making them vulnerable to infection by air borne fungi that are ubiquitous in the environment [9]. Studies focusing on the global burden of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis have highlighted the importance of following up on TB patients after their initial treatment, and having the right diagnosis available [10]. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) requires long-term antifungal therapy, while some, surgical intervention. Mycological investigation is required to diagnose the disease early to increase the chance of survival [11].

The National Tuberculosis Leprosy and Lung Disease Program (NTLD-P) in Kenya seeks to reduce mortality and morbidity due to chronic lung diseases while promoting lung health in the general population. Currently, there is an increased mortality among tuberculosis patients including those who have successfully completed treatment, due to development of cavitation and bronchiectasis that favors the colonization of filamentous fungi [12]. Therefore, undiagnosed or missed diagnosis of respiratory fungal infection significantly increases the morbidity and mortality despite successful TB treatment [13]. There is limited empirical evidence on the existence and extent of respiratory fungal diseases and possible co-morbidities with pulmonary TB in Kenya. In light of this inadequate information, the current study sought to isolate and characterize pulmonary fungal pathogens from TB relapse and retreatment cases in Kenya, a Sub-Saharan Africa setting.

Diverse filamentous fungi were recovered from sputum samples of the study participants. Out of the 340 sputa analyzed, 16% (n = 53) were positive for pathogenic filamentous fungi. The genus Aspergillus were the most frequently isolated accounting for 68% (n = 36) of the total isolates with Aspergillus flavus and A. niger the being most dominant species constituting 23%, (n = 12) and 15% (n = 8) respectively. Only 4% (n = 2) isolates of Aspergilllus candidus were isolated. Other Aspergilli present in the samples were A. fumigatus, A. terreus and A. vesiclor. Additionally, Paecillomyces variotii (9%, n = 5), Scedosporium aspipermum (6%, n = 3), Mucor racemosus (8%, n = 4) and Penicillium spp. (9%, n = 5) were isolated from the sputum. The frequency, macroscopic and microscopic morphological characteristics of the representative fungi isolated are described in Table 1, with the respective isolates in Plate 1 (a)-(j) subsequently.

Plate 1. (a)Aspergillus fumigatus; (b)Aspergillus flavus; (c)Aspergillus vesicolor; (d)Aspergillus niger; (e)Aspergillus terreus (f)Aspergilluscandidus; (g) Penicilliumspp. (SDA); (h) Scedosporiumaspiospermum; (i) Paecilomycesvariotii; (j) Mucorracemosus.

Fungal diseases have emerged as major pathogens among the immunocompromised individuals [17]. The frequency of infections is generally on the rise and appropriate strategies are needed to avert the problem. The current study examined sputa samples from individuals presenting with clinical symptoms typical of pulmonary tuberculosis who had a history of previous treatment for tuberculosis. Out of the 340 samples examined, 16% (n = 53) were positive for a variety of moulds which have been implicated in invasive mycoses and other fungal related illnesses.

The genus Aspergillus was the most frequently isolated fungi among the isolates recovered. Members of the genus Aspergillus are ubiquitous and their spores are airborne which can be acquired through inhalation [18]. There are over 200 species of Aspergilli but a few are associated with clinical disease. In the current study, distinct species were isolated among them Aspergillus flavus and A. niger which were the dominant species constituting 23% (n = 12) and 15% (n = 8) respectively. Other Aspergilli included A. fumigatus (11%, n = 6), A. terreus (9%, n = 5), A. versicolor (6%, n = 3) and A. candidus (4%, n = 2). Individuals with a debilitated immune system such as those with leukaemia, severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, HIV/AIDS and people with lung injuries including those who have had tuberculosis are at highest risk of infection and disease [19].

Pulmonary fungal infections such as chronic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and other fungal lung etiologies can present with clinical symptoms that mimic pulmonary TB [20]. Various diagnostic approaches for pulmonary aspergillosis have been proposed and it has been suggested that the most reliable method is the detection of aspergillus antibody depicting an immunological response to the infection. The positivity rate of sputum samples is known to be low in patients with CPA despite a high number of Aspergillus spp. in the lung cavities [21]. Therefore, the results from sputum cultures in the current study may be lower due to the relatively low sensitivity of sputum fungal culture. However, the findings paint a clear picture of the existing fungal infection among individuals presenting with pulmonary conditions clinically typical of tuberculosis. It depicts the significance of pulmonary fungal colonization that is unattended and being treated as TB leading to disease progression and poor TB treatment outcome due to missed diagnosis. This scenario poses significant challenges and constraints to TB management efforts.

Other studies have demonstrated the existence of Aspergillus spp. in respiratory specimen of patients suspected of TB. In Cameroon, a study carried out to determine the prevalence of respiratory tract aspergillosis in sputum of patients suspected of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), 30 (15%) of Aspergillus spp. were isolated from 200 sputa samples with a co-infection with TB in 9 (4.5%) of the cases [22]. Literature search of all epidemiology papers that reported fungal infections in Kenya revealed that about 7% of the Kenyan population suffers from a significant fungal infection at any one time. Further, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) following TB was reported at a prevalence of 10,848 cases (32/100,000). The reported adult asthma prevalence was 3.1% and it is assumed that 2.5% have allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis implying that 17,696 (44/100,000) individuals were affected [14]. The presence of high concentration of fungal spores both in indoor and outdoor environments particularly the Aspegillus spp. acts as a source of most infections and immunosuppression is the major risk factor determining the outcome of the infection and the resulting pathologies [23].

Individuals who are culture positive for diverse Aspergillus species are at highest risk of invasive aspergillosis (IA), allergic-bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and bronchitis [24]. Patients presenting with various clinical symptoms such as frequent chest pain, tightness, fatigue, weight loss, productive cough and labored breathing are non-specific for fungal or other lung disorders including tuberculosis. Therefore pulmonary fungal infection may be indistinguishable clinically from other lung etiologies [1]. In Kenya, there is a well-established program for tuberculosis and lung diseases. Nevertheless, considerable efforts and resources have been focused on the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis with minimal attention to possible pulmonary fungal infections which are likely misdiagnosed and treated as relapse and TB culture contaminants.

In the present study, Paecillomyces variotii was isolated in 9% (n = 5) of the samples. This species represents a noteworthy emerging opportunistic pathogen among the immunocompromised individuals [25]. The fungus has been previously isolated in food products, soil as well as indoor home environments [26]. Further, P. variotii has been implicated in pulmonary mycoses in diabetics and cases of endocarditis, sphenoid infections and other related diseases [27] [28] [29]. The isolation of P. variotii among tuberculosis retreatment cases in the current study highlights a possible co-infection complicating the treatment of the affected individuals.

Penicillium spp. represents a large group of ubiquitous genus consisting over 350 recognized species [30]. Members of this group are mainly responsible contamination of food products and mycotoxin production. Opportunistic infections attributable to Penicillium spp. have also been reported mainly entailing prosthetic endocarditis, otomycosis as well as pulmonary involvement in immunocompromised individuals [31]. The frequency of isolation of Penicillium spp. from the sputum specimen in the current study was 9%. This shows that the genus could be a significant complication in pulmonary tuberculosis necessitating further in-depth inquiry to elaborate the clinical picture and prognosis.

Scedosporium aspiospermum was isolated from 6%, of the samples, the fungus is a ubiquitous filamentous mould found in soil and polluted water [32]. The fungus has been implicated in a wide variety of severe infections including, lungs, sinuses, bone and disseminated disease involving the central nervous system among immunocompromised individuals as well as those receiving steroidal medication and such infections are usually fatal [33]. Infection with S. aspiospermum has also been reported in immunocompetent individuals signifying the virulence of this species. In the spectrum of infections associated with S. aspiospermum, lung infection is fairly overriding and often progressing in patients with prevailing lung conditions and surgical resection is main intervention since S. aspiospermum is intrinsically resistant to various antifungals. A greater survival rate in immunocompetent individuals has been noted compared to the immunocompromised [34]. It would be essential to evaluate presumptive tuberculosis relapse and retreatment cases for possible infection and co-infection with pathogenic fungi. These should also include the HIV immunocompromised individuals presenting with severe pulmonary diseases.

Mucor racemosus that was recovered from the sputum of 8% of the patients is a dimorphic fungi belonging to a large group of fungi named the Mucorymycetes collectively responsible for infections referred to as mucorymycoses [35]. Frequent human infections are caused by Rhizopus, Absidia and Mucor as well as Chlamydoconidia species.Mucor is reported as the most common usually acquired through inhalation [36]. The spectrum of disease associated with mucorymycoses includes rhino-cerebral affecting the sinuses and the brain with ensuing fever, sinus congestion and headache. Pulmonary mucormycosis mainly infects the lung resulting to chest pain, breathing problems, cough and fever as well as disseminated infections [37] . Since lung infections with Mucorales present similar clinical picture as tuberculosis or pneumonia, this may be misdiagnosed and the patient put on anti TB medication as the infection progresses. Mucormycoses is now recognized as a neglected tropical disease (NTD) [38].

A significant number of pulmonary tuberculosis patients currently on treatment were diagnosed clinically or were smear negative. It is likely that these individuals could have had pulmonary fungal etiologies. According to Denning (2018), the WHO reported that approximately 2.2 million out of 5.2 million new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were clinically diagnosed or smear negative in 2015. It has also been observed that there is a low specificity of presumptive TB suggestive X-ray and hence the diagnosis is often inconclusive. The utility of computed tomography (CT) has been evaluated for the diagnosis of filamentous fungi infection among the immunocompromised. In one of the studies, CT-guided lung biopsies showed high diagnostic accuracy comparable to antigen based tests and molecular assays [39]. However, such high tech facilities are often not available in resource constrained countries and if available, they are often not affordable to the common man.

It has been reported that the diagnostic yield of cultures from patients with pulmonary fungal infections particularly those with CPA is usually low, and this could be considered a limitation of the study. Therefore, the burden of fungal infection among the patients examined could be higher and additional microbiological tests on specimen such as broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) would be invaluable. Nevertheless, positive sputum cultures from patients undergoing treatment for a fungal disease are predictive of treatment response.

The authors acknowledge the support for this work granted by Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Gratitude also goes to Leah and Judith at the mycology laboratory for the support during data capture.

The authors declare no competing interests.

Tonui, J., Mureithi, M., Jaoko, W. and Bii, C. (2020) Spectrum of Filamentous Fungi from Sputum of Tuberculosis Relapse and Retreatment Patients in Tuberculosis Reference Facilities. Open Journal of Medical Microbiology, 10, 190-203. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojmm.2020.104017

TB-Tuberculosis, KEMRI-Kenya Medical Research Institute, SERU-Scientific and Ethics Review Unit, KNH/UoN ERC-Kenyatta National Hospital/University of Nairobi Ethics Review Committee, Retreatment-any individual with a history of treatment for tuberculosis exhibiting clinical symptoms consistent with pulmonary tuberculosis. Relapse-any patient treated for pulmonary tuberculosis having recurrent symptoms despite compliance with first line anti TB drugs.