COVID-19 in Patients with Active Tuberculosis.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Limited data exists on tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 coinfection, leading to polarized views on SARS-CoV-2 outcomes in active TB patients.
• This study presents the first documented cases of TB and COVID-19 coinfection in Poland following the pandemic's onset.

Observation:

• Two cases of TB and COVID-19 coinfection were observed in individuals from a homeless shelter.
• The first patient, with advanced TB, developed severe respiratory failure and died. The second patient, with coexisting HIV and TB (pulmonary and extrapulmonary), experienced mild, asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and achieved therapeutic success despite renal failure.

Findings:

• Molecular epidemiological investigation ruled out TB transmission between the two patients.
• The study could not definitively establish the impact of active TB on SARS-CoV-2 infection severity.
• Coinfection appears particularly dangerous for socially disadvantaged individuals, the elderly, and those with comorbidities.

Implications:

• The global COVID-19 pandemic is expected to negatively impact control programs for infectious diseases, including TB.
• Further research is needed to understand the complex interactions between TB and SARS-CoV-2.
• Targeted interventions and support are crucial for vulnerable populations facing coinfections.