CASE REPORT: COVID-19 and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Coinfection: A Case Report

West Afr J Med. 2021 Feb;38(2):176-179. PMID: 33641155

Authors

  • A. A. Agada Department of Internal Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Abuja, Nigeria.
  • V. Kwaghe Department of Internal Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Abuja, Nigeria.
  • Z. Habib Department of Internal Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Abuja, Nigeria.
  • F. O. Adebayo Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Abuja, Nigeria.
  • B. Anthony Department of Internal Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Abuja, Nigeria.
  • T. Yunusa Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Abuja, Nigeria.
  • B. A. Ekele Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Abuja, Nigeria.

Keywords:

COVID-19, Mycobacterium, Co-infection

Abstract

COVID-19 is a global pandemic, with attendant high morbidity and mortality. There is no previous documentation of its coinfection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis; the single most common cause of death from an infectious disease. Management and survival from this "cruel duel" in a low resource country will be daunting. We report the case of a middle-aged man who survived and the lessons learned from a COVID-19 treatment centre in the north-central of Nigeria. The patient presented with symptoms and clinical features of COVID-19 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was confirmed with laboratory investigation. The patient commenced anti-tuberculous medications, received nutritional support and other supportive treatment for COVID-19 infection. He was discharged home to continue follow up at the medical outpatient and the DOTS clinic. Early recognition and prompt treatment are critical for a favourable clinical outcome.

Published

2021-02-26