Overlapping of Pulmonary Fibrosis of Postacute COVID-19 Syndrome and Tuberculosis in the Helminth Coinfection Setting in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

There is an increasing attention to the emerging health problem represented by the clinical and functional long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, referred to as postacute COVID-19 syndrome. Clinical, radiographic, and autopsy findings have shown that a high rate of fibrosis and restriction of lung function are present in patients who have recovered from COVID-19. Patients with active TB, or those who have recovered from it, have fibrotic scarred lungs and, consequently, some degree of impaired respiratory function. Helminth infections trigger predominantly type 2 immune responses and the release of regulatory and fibrogenic cytokines, such as TGF-β. Here, we analyze the possible consequences of the overlapping of pulmonary fibrosis secondary to COVID-19 and tuberculosis in the setting of sub-Saharan Africa, the region of the world with the highest prevalence of helminth infection.

The Potential Nexus between Helminths and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Literature Review

“…The suppression of the antiviral response by CHIs-induced immunomodulatory effects may encourage viral replication and result in a delay of clearance of SARS-CoV-2 [ 70 , 73 ]. A prolonged exposure to parasitic helminth infection has been associated with generalized immune hyporesponsiveness, some of those cytokines, mainly TGF β , can trigger pulmonary fibrosis and fibrotic sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis in helminth infection settings [ 74 ].…”

COVID-19: Current Status and Future Prospects

“…Our knowledge has expanded on the pathogenesis and treatment of COVID-19 and experience gained within different countries, and this is reflected in the enormous number of scientific papers generated, including those in this Special Issue. There have been 24 papers published upon peer review acceptance in this Special Issue, including 17 research papers [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ], 2 review papers [ 20 , 21 ], 1 opinion piece [ 22 ], 1 commentary [ 23 ], and 3 systematic reviews [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Each paper in this Special Issue contributes to our understanding of COVID-19.…”

“…There are two other papers in this Special Issue. The first is an opinion piece examining the possible consequences of the overlapping of pulmonary fibrosis secondary to COVID-19 and tuberculosis in the setting of sub-Saharan Africa, the region of the world with the highest prevalence of helminth infection [ 22 ]. The second was a commentary on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in sub-Saharan Africa.…”