Relationship Between COVID-19 and Tuberculosis

Individuals who have co-infection with COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB) are more likely to have severe illness and higher mortality. Thus, we sought to review the biological, immunological, clinical, and epidemiological interactions between COVID-19 viral infection and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infectious disease. As previously described, patients with COVID-19 and latent TB present a positive immunomodulation. Conversely, individuals with COVID-19 and active tuberculosis (ATB) have immunological dysregulation. However, several factors participate in the clinical presentation, such as the responses of health services, biological interactions, and both damage the lung tissue. Moreover, most reported co-infection cases were symptomatic, including common respiratory signs and symptoms such as dyspnea, fever, and dry cough. Furthermore, despite the increased risk of death in individuals with TB and COVID-19 co-infection, it seems that COVID-19 has no effect on how TB infection develops into TB disease. These data highlight the need to better understand the co-infection of TB with highly transmissible respiratory diseases such as COVID-19.