Frontiers in Immunology (Aug 2022)

Immune responses in COVID-19 and tuberculosis coinfection: A scoping review

  • Kevin Flores-Lovon,
  • Kevin Flores-Lovon,
  • Brando Ortiz-Saavedra,
  • Brando Ortiz-Saavedra,
  • Luis A. Cueva-Chicaña,
  • Luis A. Cueva-Chicaña,
  • Shalom Aperrigue-Lira,
  • Shalom Aperrigue-Lira,
  • Elizbet S. Montes-Madariaga,
  • Elizbet S. Montes-Madariaga,
  • David R. Soriano-Moreno,
  • Brett Bell,
  • Rodney Macedo,
  • Rodney Macedo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.992743
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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Background and aimPatients with COVID-19 and tuberculosis coinfection are at an increased risk of severe disease and death. We therefore sought to evaluate the current evidence which assessed the immune response in COVID-19 and tuberculosis coinfectionMethodsWe searched Pubmed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify articles published between 2020 and 2021. We included observational studies evaluating the immune response in patients with tuberculosis and COVID-19 compared to patients with COVID-19 alone.ResultsFour cross-sectional studies (372 participants) were identified. In patients with asymptomatic COVID-19 and latent tuberculosis (LTBI), increased cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and humoral responses were found. In addition, patients with symptomatic COVID-19 and LTBI had higher leukocytes counts and less inflammation. Regarding patients with COVID-19 and active tuberculosis (aTB), they exhibited decreased total lymphocyte counts, CD4 T cells specific against SARS-CoV-2 and responsiveness to SARS-CoV-2 antigens compared to patients with only COVID-19.ConclusionAlthough the evidence is limited, an apparent positive immunomodulation is observed in patients with COVID-19 and LTBI. On the other hand, patients with COVID-19 and aTB present a dysregulated immune response. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and expand knowledge.

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