Coinfection of COVID-19 and Tuberculosis in Uganda

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2023 Apr 24;108(6):1240-1243. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0738. Print 2023 Jun 7.

Abstract

The clinical features and outcomes of tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 coinfection are not well established. This short report describes 11 people with TB/COVID-19 coinfection in Uganda. The mean age was 46.9 ± 14.5 years; eight (72.7%) were male and two (18.2%) were coinfected with HIV. All patients presented with cough whose median duration was 71.1 (interquartile range, 33.1, 109) days. Eight (72.7%) had mild COVID-19 whereas two (18.2%) died, including one with advanced HIV disease. All patients were treated with first-line anti-TB drugs and adjunct therapy for COVID-19 using national treatment guidelines. This report presents the possibility of the coexistence of the two diseases and calls for more vigilance, screening, and collective prevention measures for both COVID-19 and TB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Coinfection* / complications
  • Female
  • HIV Infections* / complications
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tuberculosis* / complications
  • Tuberculosis* / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis* / epidemiology
  • Uganda / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents