Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of M. tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2 Infections—Unexpected Similarities of Pathogenesis and What to Expect from Co-Infection

Abstract

Tuberculosis is still an important medical and social problem. In recent years, great strides have been made in the fight against M. tuberculosis, especially in the Russian Federation. However, the emergence of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has led to the long-term isolation of the population on the one hand and to the relevance of using personal protective equipment on the other. Our knowledge regarding SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammation and tissue destruction is rapidly expanding, while our understanding of the pathology of human pulmonary tuberculosis gained through more the 100 years of research is still limited. This paper reviews the main molecular and cellular differences and similarities caused by M. tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2 infections, as well as their critical immunological and pathomorphological features. Immune suppression caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus may result in certain difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. Furthermore, long-term lymphopenia, hyperinflammation, lung tissue injury and imbalance in CD4+ T cell subsets associated with COVID-19 could propagate M. tuberculosis infection and disease progression.

Tuberculosis and COVID-19 Dually Affect Human Th17 Cell Immune Response

“…The alterations in cell type profile during tuberculosis and COVID-19 are shown in Figure 2. Antigen-specific peripheral tissue effector Th1 cells can produce IFN-γ to activate a broad range of immunocompetent cells, including CD8+ T cells, ILC1, macrophages, and B-cells, which are involved in intracellular pathogen elimination [80,114].…”

COVID-19 and pulmonary Tubercuiosis coinfection: three case reports from Iran

“…Patients with chronic respiratory infections, such as TB, are more susceptible to hit by the COVID-19 disease. Active pulmonary tuberculosis can afford local reformations in lung immunity and influence host response to COVID-19(8) and also immune suppression related to this virus may cause certain difficulties in the diagnosis and management of TB( 10 ).…”

Case Report: Congenital disseminated tuberculosis neonate born to tuberculosis- COVID-19 mother

“…Immune suppression caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus may result in certain difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. Furthermore, long-term lymphopenia, hyperinflammation, lung tissue injury, and imbalance in CD4+ T cell subsets associated with COVID-19 could propagate M. tuberculosis infection and disease progression ( 10 ). The nasopharyngeal swab for RT-PCR SARS CoV-2 of the baby was negative, which likely indicated that no vertical transmission occurred ( 11 ).…”