The risk of pulmonary tuberculosis in COVID-19 patients is 7 times higher

According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Bangkok, research shows that patients with pneumonia caused by COVID-19 have a higher risk of pulmonary tuberculosis than others.

Dr Ponlagrit Kumwichar and Professor Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong of the Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, analyzed data from patients with COVID-19 with symptoms of pneumonia. They found that the risk of tuberculosis in these patients was seven times higher than in the general population.

Experts have collected patient data with COVID-19 for the year 2021 from the National Health Security Office amid the ongoing outbreak of Alpha and Delta variants in seven southern provinces of Thailand. In addition, they also compiled data on TB drug intake from early January 2022 on. The data show that the majority of TB patients have also been hospitalized for COVID-19.

Thailand is a country with a high rate of TB infection. 30% of people with TB have no symptoms and are not contagious. This is called “latent tuberculosis”. According to experts, it is possible that the immune response to the SAR-CoV-2 virus has weakened the immune systems of people with the disease, especially in cases of pneumonia, then increased the risk of infection. tuberculosis.

In addition, the experts also analyzed data on patients with COVID-19 and tuberculosis, and compared the number of new TB cases among COVID-19 patients with a history of pneumonia with those who did not. infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The results showed that the risk of tuberculosis in people with a history of pneumonia and COVID-19 was seven times higher than in those who had not been infected with the SAR-CoV-2 virus.

Professor Chongsuvivatwong said tuberculosis remains a serious public health problem in Thailand, although the disease is not generally fatal. The majority of TB patients are HIV-infected and/or have diabetes.

The findings in this study suggest that people with pneumonia caused by COVID-19 should also be considered a high-risk group. They are advised to see a doctor for TB screening and the public health system should consider prioritizing this vulnerable group.