TB Research

COVID-19 and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Coinfection: A Case Report.

Akor Alexander Agada, Vivian Kwaghe, Zaiyad Garba Habib, Francis Adebayo, Bawa Anthony, Thairu Yunusa, B. Ekele

PubMed · 2021-02

Abstract

COVID-19 is a global pandemic, with attendant high morbidity and mortality. There is no previous documentation of its coinfection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis; the single most common cause of death from an infectious disease. Management and survival from this "cruel duel" in a low resource country will be daunting. We report the case of a middle-aged man who survived and the lessons learned from a COVID-19 treatment centre in the north-central of Nigeria. The patient presented with symptoms and clinical features of COVID-19 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was confirmed with laboratory investigation. The patient commenced anti-tuberculous medications, received nutritional support and other supportive treatment for COVID-19 infection. He was discharged home to continue follow up at the medical outpatient and the DOTS clinic. Early recognition and prompt treatment are critical for a favourable clinical outcome.

MeSH terms

  • Medicine
  • Coinfection
  • Tuberculosis
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Pandemic
  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Infectious disease (medical specialty)
  • Outpatient clinic
  • Mycobacterium
  • Intensive care medicine
  • Disease
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)