Epidemiological study of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Baghdad Governorate, Iraq

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (Mtb) is one of the most gram positive dangerous pathogenic bacteria cause tuberculosis (TB) and cause hundreds deaths in worldwide especially in developing countries such as Iraq. This epidemiological study aim to verify the prevalence of Mtb in Baghdad Governorate during 12 months carried out under supervisor of Specialized Center for Chest and Respiratory Disease in Baghdad Governorate from January 2019 to January 2020. Mycobacterium Tuberculosis has been diagnosed by acid fast stain and GeneXpert® hemi-nested real time PCR for simultaneous detection of MTB and rifampicin (RIF) resistance as Multi-Drug resistance Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-Mtb). The results proved there were 812 patients infected with Mtb; 288 (35.4%) in AL-Karkh side and 524 (64.6%) in AL-Rusafa side; 446 male (54.9%) and 366 female (45.1%). The age group 15–34 was the most infected 330 patients (40.6%) and there was no high seasonal variation in Mtb infections. Out of total 812 patients there were 90 patients (11.1%) infected with MDR-Mtb. There was high prevalence of Mtb in Baghdad Governorate and most infections were in Al-Rusafa side and there was no significant difference in infections between seasons. •There was high prevalence of Mtb in Baghdad Governorate and most infections were in Al-Rusafa side more than infections in AL-Karkh side.•There was no significant difference in infections between seasons.•There was highly prevalence patients infected with MDR-Mtb in Baghdad Governorate.