Abstract

PALMERO, Domingo et al. COVID-19 and Tuberculosis in 5 Hospitals in the City of Buenos Aires. Rev. am. med. respir. [online]. 2020, vol.20, n.3, pp.251-254. ISSN 1852-236X.

The COVID-19/tuberculosis comorbidity is scarcely mentioned in the literature and it is generally considered that there is little interaction between both diseases. We report 23 cases (4 pediatric) diagnosed in 5 hospitals in the City of Buenos Aires between March and June 2020. The mean age of the adults was 36.9 years: 78% were male, 57% were foreigners and 74% belonged to vulnerable populations. In the institution that reported most cases, the incidence of TB among COVID-19 patients was as high as 1635/100 000. In the radiological presentation of the pulmonary forms, cavitary images of TB predominated; regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection, ground glass opacities with a peripheral predominance and consolidation were found. Both types of images were concomitant in 78% of patients; 65% of the cases did not have a diagnosis of TB and this was made from compatible radiological images, later confirmed by bacteriology. The most frequent comorbidities were addictions (smoking and illicit drugs) and HIV. Tuberculosis was treated with the standard regimen, although second-line drugs were used in cases of serious adverse reactions (4 patients) and in multidrug-resistant TB. The hospitalization period was longer than usual for non-ICU patients. Mortality was higher than that of the country’s COVID-19: 1.8% vs. 8.7%. The implications of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the re-emergence of tuberculosis in the so-called “post-pandemic” era are discussed.

Keywords : SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Tuberculosis; Comorbidities; Pandemic.