Tuberculosis and COVID-19 co-infection in Cancer patients

ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 has been affecting mankind round the globe. Coinfection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has implications beyond morbidity at the individual level and can lead to unintended TB exposure to others. The present study was conducted to better understand the implication of TB and COVID-19 co-infection in Cancer patients. Methods: The study was conducted in the department of MIcrobiology, Tata Memeorial Hospital, Mumbai. Records of all cancer patients tested for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis using Genexpert and /or MGIT during March 2020 to October 2020 in the institute were analysed.We determined if these patients were also tested for SARS CORONAVIRUS 2 during the course of their treatment. If postive for COVID 19, the outcome of the disease was analysed and various demo- graphic paramateres were compared. Results: A total of 1830 samples were analysed for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) (886 - MGIT & 944 - Genexpert) between March 2020 to October 2020. Of these 171 detected postive for MTB on Genexpert & 75 Detected positive in MGIT. Majority of the sample types were Respiratory samples 121 (39 - MGIT & 82 - GENEXPERT) and pus/ tissue 120 (31 - MGIT & 89 - genex-pert). Of the patients diagnosed with TB, 57 patients were also tested for COVID 19 virus using RTPCR test. 03 among them tested positive for the SARS COVID 19 virus and results of 54 came back negative. [Formula presented] Conclusions: co-infections with TB must always be suspected in addi- tion to COVID-19 in current scenario in patients with RTI with non- specific clinical features and unexplained or prolonged clinical course and utmost consideration should be given to all above concerns impli- cated.