Disseminated Tuberculosis Post COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonology
• Microbiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis (TB).
• While TB reactivation has been linked to COVID-19, disseminated TB remains an infrequent complication.
• Understanding the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 infection and TB is crucial for clinical practice.

Observation:

• A 17-year-old male presented with a two-week history of fever of unknown origin.
• The patient had recovered from COVID-19 five weeks prior, with a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test upon current admission.
• Clinical presentation and investigations, including lymph node biopsy and imaging, led to the diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis.

Findings:

• Disseminated tuberculosis was diagnosed in a young male patient with a recent history of COVID-19.
• Lymph node biopsy and radiological findings were key to establishing the diagnosis.
• The patient received a four-drug anti-tuberculosis regimen.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering disseminated tuberculosis in patients with recent COVID-19, even with negative PCR tests.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment of disseminated TB are essential for favorable outcomes.
• Further research into the mechanisms linking SARS-CoV-2 and TB reactivation is warranted.