Antibodies against Histoplasma capsulatum and Aspergillus fumigatus among chronic TB patients in Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

Chronic pulmonary fungal infections may occur in patients with previous history of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), and are often clinically misclassified as TB, especially when bacteriological confirmation for Mycobacterium tuberculosis is absent. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of antibody against Histoplasma capsulatum and Aspergillus fumigatus in patients with confirmed and clinically chronic TB. Antibodies against H. capsulatum and A. fumigatus were measured from serum samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The presence M. tuberculosis in sputum was confirmed using smear microscopy, GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay, or culture. Antibodies against H. capsulatum and A. fumigatus were elevated in 16.9% and 26.9% of bacteriologically confirmed chronic TB patients, and 12.1% and 18.2% in those without bacteriological confirmation, respectively. Approximately one-third of patients who had positive anti-Histoplasma antibody also had elevated levels of antibody against Aspergillus fumigatus (P < .001). Our study highlights the importance of chronic pulmonary fungal infection in post-TB patients with recurrent respiratory symptoms. Lay Summary This study describes the presence of antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus and Histoplasma capsulatum in patient with pulmonary TB patients. Our study highlights the importance of chronic pulmonary fungal infections in post-TB patients with recurrent respiratory symptoms.