Overview
This project aimed to evaluate whether presumptive Tuberculosis (TB) lymphadenitis (TB of lymph node, TB-LN) in three provinces of Papua New Guinea is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and assess whether there are important zoonotic infection risks. The objectives included determining the proportion of presumptive TB lymphadenitis attributable to MTBC in East New Britain and Eastern Highlands provinces, as well as the National Capital District, Papua New Guinea. Additionally, the project aimed to determine the proportion of confirmed TB lymphadenitis attributable to Mycobacterium bovis in these regions and explore animal-human interactions that may pose a risk for zoonotic infections.
This research found that:
- Contact with domestic and wild animals can expose people to zoonotic infections, but awareness and prevention of this risk are low.
- Lymph node TB is more likely to be confirmed in adults with large and long-lasting neck swellings on both sides.
- Cytology can help diagnose TB and other conditions, such as cancer, in lymph node samples.
- Rifampicin resistance is present in 12% of bacteriologically confirmed lymph node TB cases in three provinces of Papua New Guinea.
- Only 27% of people with suspected lymph node TB have positive bacteriological tests for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and none for Mycobacterium bovis.
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