COVID-19 and Coinfections: A Serious Health Threat Requires Combination of Diagnosis and Therapy

Shahid Nawaz; Maira Saleem

doi:10.2174/1871526522666220407001744

COVID-19 and Coinfections: A Serious Health Threat Requires Combination of Diagnosis and Therapy

Infect Disord Drug Targets. 2022;22(7):7-13. doi: 10.2174/1871526522666220407001744.

Authors

Shahid Nawaz¹, Maira Saleem¹

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

PMID: 35388765
DOI: 10.2174/1871526522666220407001744

Abstract

Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, a mammoth research activity targeting the etiological features of COVID-19 has commenced. Many aspects of the disease have been studied, and various others are under consideration. The secondary microbial coinfections with COVID-19 have generated some serious concerns across the globe. This review mainly focuses on the notable secondary coinfections. The coinfection of influenza, tuberculosis, and typhoid may mimic the original COVID-19 symptoms. Physicians and clinicians must focus on the secondary coinfections which may aggravate the disease progression towards acute respiratory disorder syndrome (ARDS). Diagnostic strategies must also be redefined to determine the actual underlying secondary coinfection. There is a need for combination therapy and diagnostic approaches to minimize the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic effectively.

Keywords: COVID-19; coinfection; dengue; hepatitis; influenza; mucormycosis; typhoid.