Changes in Hemostasis and Fibrinolysis Rates in the Course of Treatment of New Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis after COVID-19 Infection

The objective : to compare changes in markers of hemostasis and fibrinolysis during the course of treatment in new patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), who suffered from COVID-19 and no COVID-19. Subjects and Methods . 50 new patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were enrolled in a retrospective study, of them 25 new pulmonary tuberculosis patients had a history COVID-19 (TB/COVID-19 Group) and 25 new pulmonary tuberculosis patients had no COVID-19 (TB Group). The state of hemostasis and fibrinolysis was assessed at four checkpoints: at admission to hospital for treatment and after 1, 2, 3 months of tuberculosis treatment. To assess the relationship between the detected changes and systemic inflammation, C-reactive protein (CRP) was additionally tested. Results . It was found that new pulmonary tuberculosis in both groups was associated with hypercoagulative shift in the hemostasis system. The incidence of patients with hypercoagulable shift decreased during the course of tuberculosis treatment in both groups. At the same time, the hypercoagulable shift leveled off significantly slower in TB/COVID-19 Group versus TB Group. Inflammatory response persisted in TB/COVID-19 Group throughout the follow-up. Conclusion . A hypercoagulability shift persisted in new pulmonary tuberculosis patients who had suffered from COVID-19 before and during tuberculosis treatment. This factor requires monitoring of hemostasis and fibrinolysis systems in such patients and, if necessary, pharmacological therapy should be used.