Incidence of Streptococcus Pneumoniae Infections Among Patients Attending Tuberculosis Clinics in Ekpoma, Nigeria.

Pulmonary pneumonia and tuberculosis are both lower respiratory tract infections that affect almost all class of people mostly in developing countries. Few current and up to date data are available on the trend of the above disease conditions in Ekpoma and its environs. To assess the incidence of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection among patients attending tuberculosis clinics in Ekpoma Nigeria. Alpha hemolytic organisms on chocolate and Blood agar from 330 sputum samples randomly selected from patients attending tuberculosis clinics in Ekpoma, suspected to be Streptococcus pneumoniae were identified using bile solubility and optochin sensitivity test while Mycobacterium tuberculosis were identified by the Ziel Nelson technique for acid and alcohol fast bacilli. Out of the 330 samples examined, 21 (6.4%) and 81 (84.6%) of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis respectively were detected. Out of 144/186 male/female examined, 15 (10.4%), 6 (3.2%), and 48 (33.3%), 33 (17.7%) of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis from male/ female samples respectively. Age group 1-9 years was mostly affected by Streptococcus pneumoniae, age group 50 -59 years which had high incidence of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis respectively. The occupational group identified as others which include mostly children, had the highest incidence of both Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis followed by farmers. The relevance of accurate and current data on the infection trend of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis respectively can not be over emphasized.