Tuberculosis and COVID-19: An epidemic submerged in the pandemic: A case series and review of current literature

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB), the leading infectious cause of death worldwide, like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is mainly transmitted through the respiratory route and affects the lungs. Though TB-COVID co-infection is not common, but might be missed due to similar clinical presentation. Therefore, a high index of suspicion of co-infections is needed so that there is prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment. A higher mortality of 13% in cases of co infections is alarming. Here we are reporting a case series of SARS-CoV-2 – TB co-infection from Eastern India.

Keywords

• covid-19
• diagnosis
• mortality
• tuberculosis