Table 3.

Clinical significance of respiratory pathogens among tuberculosis (TB) patients at the time of TB diagnosis

Respiratory pathogens detected	Severe TB scorea		High sputum bacterial loadb		Lung cavitationc		Lung infiltrationsc		Diagnostic delayd
	aOR (95%CI)	p	aOR (95%CI)	p	aOR (95%CI)	p	aOR (95%CI)	p	aOR (95%CI)	p
Respiratory viruses
Any viral species		0.072		0.69		0.089		0.88		0.46
Yes	1.52 (0.96–2.4)		1.10 (0.69–1.76)		1.58 (0.93–2.68)		1.04 (0.60–1.83)		0.80 (0.45–1.43)
Respiratory bacteria
Any bacterial species		0.17		0.89		0.65		0.85		0.77
Yes	1.32 (0.89–1.94)		1.03 (0.69–1.53)		0.90 (0.56–1.44)		0.95 (0.58–1.56)		1.07 (0.67–1.71)
Combined detection of viral and bacterial species		0.01		0.95		0.7		0.71		0.53
Yes	1.64 (1.11–2.37)		1.00 (0.68–1.46)		1.09 (0.70–1.71)		0.92 (0.57–1.46)		0.87 (0.55–1.37)

aOR, adjusted odds ratios; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval

Logistic regression model adjusted for age-group, sex, and HIV infection.

^aSevere TB score (6 to 12) compared to mild TB score (1 to 5).

^bHigh sputum bacterial load (≥2+ according to qualitative AFB smear microscopy grading) compared to low load (scanty up to 1+).

^cAs determined by chest x-ray features.

^dDiagnostic delay defined as defined symptoms duration of ≥3 weeks.