Co-infection of covid-19 in two patients with active tuberculosis: first case report in Afghanistan

Abstract

Background: Bacterial co-infections with respiratory pathogens are not uncommon. Currently, we are facing the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, which is a very serious threat to public health. Because TB-Covid-19 infections are a major risk for TB, this is the first report from Afghanistan. Timely and rapid diagnosis of respiratory infections caused by COVID-19, and treatment of tuberculosis patients should be taken very seriously. Methodology: This study was conducted in Afghan Japan Hospital to investigate COVID-19 among 57 tuberculosis patients from April to January 2021, of which 23 patients had extrapulmonary tuberculosis and 34 patients had pulmonary tuberculosis. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from all patients and sent to the Microbiology Laboratory of the Hospital for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. It was done using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method. The kit used was from BioVendor. (https://www.biovendor.com). Results : 57 patients with tuberculosis had an average age of 45.5 years. The patients included 29 (16.53%) men and 26 (14.82%) women. 2 people (1.14%) of tuberculosis patients were infection with covid- 19. The history of two patients with Covid-19 is as follows. Conclusions: These results indicate the importance of investigating co-infections of covid-19 during the pandemic.