EMBAR

Author:
Mansur Bala, Auwal Bello Muhammad, Abdullahi Y. Alkali, Kabiru Adamu, Ahmad Saleh, Hussaini Jibrila
Maryam Abacha American University, Kano, Nigeria,

DOI: doi.org/10.58924/rjhss.v5.iss1.p26

Published Date: 17-Mar, 2026

Keywords: Echinococcus granulosus, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Co-infection, Prevalence, Zoonotic Transmission, Risk Factors, Pathogen

Abstract:
Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) and tuberculosis (TB) are significant public health concerns globally, particularly in endemic regions. CE is caused by Echinococcus granulosus, and TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which both poses substantial health risks and economic burdens.This study investigated the prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), and their co-infection among patients, with emphasis on demographic and associated factors. A total of 185 participants were screened using serological and molecular techniques, including ELISA for E. granulosus and GeneXpert for MTB. The findings revealed a prevalence of 12.97% for E. granulosus, 14.05% for MTB, and 2.16% for co-infection. Females and participants within the 21–40 years age group were more affected, indicating that gender and age may be important determinants of infection. Risk factors such as close contact with livestock, poor hygiene, overcrowding, and socioeconomic status contributed significantly to infection rates. The co-infection rate, though relatively low, highlights a clinically important overlap between parasitic and bacterial pathogens that share common risk environments. This interaction may complicate diagnosis and treatment outcomes, particularly in endemic regions where healthcare resources are limited. The study underscores the need for integrated diagnostic approaches and public health interventions that target both zoonotic and bacterial diseases simultaneously. To the best of current knowledge, this is the first cross-sectional study in the region to report the detection of human cystic echinococcosis and tuberculosis co-infection. The findings contribute to the understanding of disease burden, potential immunological interactions, and epidemiological trends of these pathogens. Strengthening surveillance, promoting community health education, and improving diagnostic capacity are recommended to reduce the impact of these infections.

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