New coronavirus infection as a risk-factor for the development of tuberculosis: a clinical observation

Abstract

A new coronavirus infection is an acute viral disease with a primary lesion of the respiratory tract. Morphological changes in the lungs with a new coronavirus infection are characterized by damage to lymphocytes, endotheliocytes, macrophages, monocytes and diffuse lesions of the alveoli with local hemorrhages and accumulation of fluid and fibrin in their lumen and the development of residual changes in the form of fibrosis. The resulting changes in the target organ can lead to the activation of opportunistic infections, including tuberculosis. The clinical observation of the onset of a tuberculous process in a patient who had a new coronavirus infection with residual changes in the lung tissue in the form of fibrosis. Patient I., 30 years old, was admitted to a tuberculosis hospital for examination and treatment. The result of x-ray examination revealed signs of decay in the sixth segment of the lower lobe of the right lung. A positive sputum microscopy result for acid-fast mycobacteria was also obtained. Molecular genetic study of sputum confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. From the anamnesis it is known that 5 months ago she suffered a new coronavirus infection, confirmed by a molecular genetic method, with a lesion of the sixth segment of the right lung. At the end of the treatment with COVID-19 were performed computed tomography of the chest organs – residual fibrous changes were noted in the sixth segment of the right lung after pneumonia. This clinical observation showed that the presence of residual fibrotic changes in the lungs after suffering a coronavirus disease in a patient is a risk factor for tuberculosis.