ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has been associated with lymphopaenia secondary to direct effects of SARS-CoV-2 virus on lymphocytes. We report on a case of an elderly patient with previous pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), recently diagnosed with COVID-19 complicated by lymphopaenia and TB reactivation. Our intention is to raise the awareness of clinicians to be alert to the high level of suspected TB infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in TB-endemic regions such as South Africa. We further review the mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 infection may lead to TB reactivation.
ABSTRACT
While many countries are preparing to face the COVID-19 pandemic, the reported cases in Africa remain low. With a high burden of both communicable and non-communicable disease and a resource-constrained public healthcare system, sub-Saharan Africa is preparing for the coming crisis as best it can. We describe our early response as a designated COVID-19 provincial hospital in Cape Town, South Africa (SA).While the first cases reported were related to international travel, at the time of writing there was evidence of early community spread. The SAgovernment announced a countrywide lockdown from midnight 26 March 2020 to midnight 30 April 2020 to stem the pandemic and save lives. However, many questions remain on how the COVID-19 threat will unfold in SA, given the significant informal sector overcrowding and poverty in our communities. There is no doubt that leadership and teamwork at all levels is critical in influencing outcomes.