TB Research

COVID-19 and tuberculosis co-infection: a neglected paradigm

Arkapal Bandyopadhyay, Sarika Palepu, Krishna Bandyopadhyay, Shailendra Handu

Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease · 2020-09

Abstract

COVID-19 has been affecting mankind round the globe. The incidence of this infectious disease of respiratory origin is constantly on rise. Another infectious disease widely prevalent is tuberculosis (TB). During past corona virus pandemics of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, coinfection with TB was seen. We present this review as the co-infection of COVID-19 with TB has not been assessed yet, imposing a greater global threat. We suggest few measures to be implemented without delay for effectively screening the suspects of co-infection and also follow up of non-suspect patients in the post-pandemic phase.

MeSH terms

  • Coinfection
  • Tuberculosis
  • Pandemic
  • Middle East respiratory syndrome
  • Medicine
  • Infectious disease (medical specialty)
  • Disease
  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Virology
  • Incidence (geometry)
  • Suspect
  • Intensive care medicine
  • Immunology