COVID-19 and Tuberculosis: Unveiling the Dual Threat and Shared Solutions Perspective
The year 2020 will likely be remembered as the year dominated by COVID-19, or coronavirus disease. The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for this pandemic, can be traced back to late 2019 in China. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/14/4784 |
| _version_ | 1797588838536708096 |
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| author | Ramona Cioboata Viorel Biciusca Mihai Olteanu Corina Maria Vasile |
| author_facet | Ramona Cioboata Viorel Biciusca Mihai Olteanu Corina Maria Vasile |
| author_sort | Ramona Cioboata |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The year 2020 will likely be remembered as the year dominated by COVID-19, or coronavirus disease. The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for this pandemic, can be traced back to late 2019 in China. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the tuberculosis (TB) care system, reducing TB testing and reporting. This can be attributed to the disruption of TB services and restrictions on patient movement, consequently increasing TB-related deaths. This perspective review aims to highlight the intersection between COVID-19 and TB, highlighting their dual threat and identifying shared solutions to address these two infectious diseases effectively. There are several shared commonalities between COVID-19 and tuberculosis, particularly the transmission of their causative agents, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Both pathogens are transmitted via respiratory tract secretions. TB and COVID-19 are diseases that can be transmitted through droplets and airborne particles, and their primary target is typically the lungs. Regarding COVID-19 diagnostics, several methods are available for rapid and accurate detection. These include RT-PCR, which can provide results within two hours, and rapid antigen test kits that offer results in just a few minutes. The availability of point-of-care self-testing further enhances convenience. On the other hand, various approaches are employed for TB diagnostics to swiftly identify active TB. These include sputum microscopy, sputum for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and chest X-rays. These methods enable the rapid detection of active TB on the same day, while culture-based testing may take significantly longer, ranging from 2 to 8 weeks. The utilization of diverse diagnostic tools helps ensure the timely identification and management of COVID-19 and TB cases. The quality of life of patients affected by COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB) can be significantly impacted due to the nature of these diseases and their associated challenges. In conclusion, it is crucial to emphasize the urgent need to address the dual threat of COVID-19 and TB. Both diseases have devastated global health, and their convergence poses an even greater challenge. Collaborative efforts, research investments, and policy reforms are essential to tackle this dual threat effectively. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:57:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7bbd0a09e7bc41fd8a01178306f55fc0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0383 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:57:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-7bbd0a09e7bc41fd8a01178306f55fc02023-11-18T19:53:55ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832023-07-011214478410.3390/jcm12144784COVID-19 and Tuberculosis: Unveiling the Dual Threat and Shared Solutions PerspectiveRamona Cioboata0Viorel Biciusca1Mihai Olteanu2Corina Maria Vasile3Department of Pneumology, University of Pharmacy and Medicine Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Pneumology, University of Pharmacy and Medicine Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Pneumology, University of Pharmacy and Medicine Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiology, Bordeaux University Hospital, 33600 Pessac, FranceThe year 2020 will likely be remembered as the year dominated by COVID-19, or coronavirus disease. The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for this pandemic, can be traced back to late 2019 in China. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the tuberculosis (TB) care system, reducing TB testing and reporting. This can be attributed to the disruption of TB services and restrictions on patient movement, consequently increasing TB-related deaths. This perspective review aims to highlight the intersection between COVID-19 and TB, highlighting their dual threat and identifying shared solutions to address these two infectious diseases effectively. There are several shared commonalities between COVID-19 and tuberculosis, particularly the transmission of their causative agents, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Both pathogens are transmitted via respiratory tract secretions. TB and COVID-19 are diseases that can be transmitted through droplets and airborne particles, and their primary target is typically the lungs. Regarding COVID-19 diagnostics, several methods are available for rapid and accurate detection. These include RT-PCR, which can provide results within two hours, and rapid antigen test kits that offer results in just a few minutes. The availability of point-of-care self-testing further enhances convenience. On the other hand, various approaches are employed for TB diagnostics to swiftly identify active TB. These include sputum microscopy, sputum for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and chest X-rays. These methods enable the rapid detection of active TB on the same day, while culture-based testing may take significantly longer, ranging from 2 to 8 weeks. The utilization of diverse diagnostic tools helps ensure the timely identification and management of COVID-19 and TB cases. The quality of life of patients affected by COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB) can be significantly impacted due to the nature of these diseases and their associated challenges. In conclusion, it is crucial to emphasize the urgent need to address the dual threat of COVID-19 and TB. Both diseases have devastated global health, and their convergence poses an even greater challenge. Collaborative efforts, research investments, and policy reforms are essential to tackle this dual threat effectively.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/14/4784COVID-19tuberculosisdual-threatquality of lifepandemicperspective |
| spellingShingle | Ramona Cioboata Viorel Biciusca Mihai Olteanu Corina Maria Vasile COVID-19 and Tuberculosis: Unveiling the Dual Threat and Shared Solutions Perspective Journal of Clinical Medicine COVID-19 tuberculosis dual-threat quality of life pandemic perspective |
| title | COVID-19 and Tuberculosis: Unveiling the Dual Threat and Shared Solutions Perspective |
| title_full | COVID-19 and Tuberculosis: Unveiling the Dual Threat and Shared Solutions Perspective |
| title_fullStr | COVID-19 and Tuberculosis: Unveiling the Dual Threat and Shared Solutions Perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | COVID-19 and Tuberculosis: Unveiling the Dual Threat and Shared Solutions Perspective |
| title_short | COVID-19 and Tuberculosis: Unveiling the Dual Threat and Shared Solutions Perspective |
| title_sort | covid 19 and tuberculosis unveiling the dual threat and shared solutions perspective |
| topic | COVID-19 tuberculosis dual-threat quality of life pandemic perspective |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/14/4784 |
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