CANDIDIASIS CO-INFECTIONS WITH MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL, KANO- NIGERIA *Sule, H., Kumurya, A. S., Adamu, A. I., Ibrahim, A., Muhammad, A. B., Shema, F. B. and Musa, Z. L. Department of Medical Laboratory Science, faculty of Allied Health Sciences College of Health Sciences Bayero University, Kano-Nigeria Corresponding Author: sule.hamza@yahoo.com ; +2348036062021 INTRODUCTION Tuberculosis is a disease of wide epidemiology which also paves way for other opportunistic organism like Candida species. Candida albicans has emerged as a potentially pathogenic, fungus rather than innocuous mucosal commensal in patients with broncho-pulmonary diseases although respiratory candidiasis, secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis has been reported in the past, (Schwartin and Skinne, 1948), it has gained more relevance recently due to increased use of broad spectrum antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs and possibly as a result of resurgence of tuberculosis in the background of the HIV epidemic (Ochieng et al., 2005). The synergistic growth-promoting association of Candida and M. tuberculosis has also been documented experimentally (Mankiewicz, 1954). There are many different types of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary diseases related to TB, which might have serious problems in differential and therapeutic diagnosis. These cases might also be aggravating factors associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, diabetes, elderly patients, high cholesterol levels, lung cancer, immunodeficiency, and fungal lung infections (Chen et al., 2005). Sule et al., (2018) BJMLS, 3(1): 217 - 226 ISSN 2545 - 5672 ABSTRACT Background: Fungal infections among Mycobacterium tuberculosis atients is a common phenomenon worldwide, because the yeast come up as an opportunistic pathogen in the tuberculous patients (TB patients), which are in most cases immunocompromised. AIM: The aim of the study was to ascertain the burden of Candida species among TB patients and identify the species commonly involved in the disease in the study area. Methodology: The sputum samples were aseptically collected and processed according to standard protocols. Gram staining technique, Ziehl Nelsen staining technique, Potasium hydroxide preparation (KOH mount), Germ tube test and speciation on chromogenic Candida agar were the procedures employed in the study. Results: Out of the 39 positive samples obtained from the 165 patients enrolled, four different Candida species were identified viz, C. albicans 29(74.4), C. krusei 6(15.4), C. glabrata 3(7.7), and C. tropicalis 1(2.6). It was also discovered that age limits of 31- 40 had the highest infection rates, 45(27.3%) while the age group of 71-80, showed the least 5(3.0%) in the study. Among all the isolates, Candida albicans was found to be the most prevalent. Conclusion: Tuberculosis patients are not only associated with tubercle bacilli, but can also be home to other opportunistic pathogens like that of Candida species. Key words: Tuberculosis, Candida species, Coinfection, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Citation: Sule, H., Kumurya, A. S., Adamu, A. I., Ibrahim, A., Muhammad, A. B., Shema, F. B. and Musa, Z. L. (2018): Candidiasis Co-Infections With Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Among Patients Attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano- Nigeria BJMLS. 3(1): 217 - 226 217