Co-Infections: How the Risks of Tuberculosis and COVID-19 Rise Globally and Exacerbate Fatality Rates

A recent study has shown that the number of tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 co-infections is on the rise globally. While death rates from these infections have decreased, they remain higher in patients with both conditions compared to those with COVID-19 alone. The study, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, analyzed research from 38 countries and regions with varying levels of TB prevalence.

The study included 17 studies, 16 of which were conducted within individual countries while one involved TB-COVID patients from 172 centers across 34 countries as part of the TB/COVID-19 Global Study Group. The prevalence of TB-COVID co-infection was found to be as low as 0.02% in certain regions. Patients were treated with standard TB drugs but there was a lack of guidance on best practices for managing co-infections.

Those with TB-COVID co-infections were more likely to require hospitalization and intensive care, resulting in higher fatality rates. The estimated fatality rate among hospitalized patients with TB-COVID co-infection was 11.4%, while the overall fatality rate for co-infected individuals was 7.1%. The risk of death for TB-COVID patients compared to those with COVID-19 alone was slightly higher, highlighting the increased risks associated with co-infection.

The authors emphasized that individuals with TB-COVID co-infection face elevated risks including higher rates of hospitalization, longer recovery periods and increased mortality. However, there is limited information available on the post-COVID condition of co-infected patients which indicates a gap in understanding the long term effects of this co infection.

In conclusion, this meta analysis highlights the need for further research on managing and treating individuals with both conditions to better understand their risks and potential outcomes.