COVID-19 and chronic diabetes: the perfect storm for reactivation tuberculosis?: a case series

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is predicted to become a double-edged sword for tuberculosis (TB) control [1]. On the positive side, comprehensive preventive measures against COVID-19 such as self-quarantine, social distancing, and use of face masks is likely to reduce the spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, there is an anticipated net negative effect of COVID-19 on TB control, including an increase in the number of TB cases and deaths, and the proportion of drug-resistant TB [1]. Two types of interrelated factors can contribute: the first type are programmatic issues that affect all TB patients in a community. These include the lockdown of TB diagnosis and treatment services, and the redirection of the already limited resources for national TB programs worldwide to address the urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic. A model estimated that between 2020 and 2025 there will be a global excess of active TB cases (3.1–10.7%) and deaths (4–16%) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, setting back global TB control efforts by at least 8 years [2].

The second type are biological or social factors that can contribute to the hypothesized bidirectional synergy between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis [3]. First, both microbes primarily target the lung. Second, both share social risk factors (for example poverty, overcrowding, malnutrition, and poor access to healthcare), which increase the risk of disease transmission, progression, and poor TB treatment outcomes [4‐6]. Third, both diseases share biological risks, such as male gender or diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of TB development or adverse treatment outcomes, and is also a risk factor for more severe COVID-19 presentation and increases the risk of death [4, 7‐9]. Fourth, there is reported immunosuppression in COVID-19 patients that would be expected to favor M. tuberculosis growth. These include reduction in CD4 and CD8 counts, functional exhaustion of these T cells [10] and heightened production of interleukin (IL)-10 in response to the viral infection [11], and the widespread, often unregulated and inappropriate use of immunosuppressive treatments (for example steroids, tocilizumab) in many countries [12]. Thus, the convergence of these biosocial factors would be expected to increase the risk of adverse outcomes for COVID-19 or TB. However, clinical evidence is still limited, albeit beginning to show support. The first published cohort of COVID-19 and TB provides examples of TB preceding, overlapping, or following COVID-19 infection [13]. Some studies have reported more severe TB disease, delayed recovery, and higher death in patients with both TB and COVID-19 [3, 4, 13‐15]. Likewise, TB prevalence was higher among patients with severe COVID-19, when compared with nonsevere cases [3]. Thus, the need for integrated care of both types of diseases and, hence, knowledge of the individual risk factors that retro-feed on each other.

However, to date, the role of COVID-19 in boosting TB development is yet to be established [3]. We describe our findings in three individuals with newly diagnosed TB after recovery from COVID-19 (Table 1). These cases alert to the heightened risk for reactivation TB in patients recovering from COVID-19 with a chronic history of poorly controlled diabetes.

Two males (43 and 44 years old) and one female (49 years old) presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of active TB (Table 1) to the Centro Regional de Tuberculosis in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. They reported no pulmonary symptoms prior to the development of a COVID-19 episode 3–6 months ago. Their COVID-19 symptoms gradually disappeared, except for a persistent dry cough that gradually evolved into a productive cough (60 days ago for TR-241 and TR-247 and 90 days ago for TR-243), and was accompanied by dramatic weight loss and the reappearance of fever and chills 14–15 days prior to reporting to the TB clinic. The three cases were diagnosed with pulmonary TB supported by abnormal chest x-rays, positive acid-fast sputum smears (> 10 bacilli/field), and culture confirmation of M. tuberculosis spp. Their previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed by positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers. Informed consent was obtained from both participants as part of a parent study.

Besides COVID-19, other host factors or medical conditions influencing TB risk were examined (Table 1). A consistent finding was a chronic history of type 2 diabetes (≥ 5 years) with poor glucose control (HbA1c ≥ 7.5%). We cannot ascertain whether these were cases of primary progressive TB disease or of an incipient TB that was smoldering at the time of the COVID-19 diagnosis, or if this was a reactivation of a latent M. tuberculosis infection prompted by the COVID-19 episode. We consider the latter is more likely given that: (i) none of the cases reported pulmonary symptoms prior to the COVID-19 episode, (ii) two had no knowledge of previous exposure to a TB patient and one had a past exposure (Table 1), and (iii) there was a gradual appearance of a productive cough and the reemergence of fever and chills after the COVID-19 episode was resolved.

First, diabetes and the SARS-CoV-2 infection are likely to retro feed each other to magnify the risk of M. tuberculosis reactivation to active TB. Diabetes is a major comorbidity for COVID-19 patients, resulting in poorer outcomes (RR 2.38, p < 0.001), death (RR 2.12), and more severe disease (RR 2.45) [16]. Diabetes is also a well-established risk factor for TB [17, 18], and for adverse TB disease outcomes [19, 20]. SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with immunosuppression that persists past the COVID-19 episode, and likely synergizes with TB to favor primary or reactivation TB [21, 22]. Thus, we predict that the threefold higher risk of active TB development in diabetes patients is further amplified by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Second, in our post-COVID-19 TB cases, the continuum of cough throughout both episodes masked the suspicion of an emerging TB and likely contributed to the significant delay in its diagnosis (60–90 days with productive cough) and high M. tuberculosis burden in their sputum (> 10 bacilli/field). TB diagnostic delays and high bacillary burden are associated with expanded community TB transmission and poorer TB prognosis [23], which is an added concern for post-COVID-19 TB cases.

We recommend clinicians and public health workers to regard COVID-19 patients with diabetes and latent M. tuberculosis infection as having a heightened risk for TB. In high incidence settings for latent M. tuberculosis infection, patients with COVID-19 and diabetes should be alerted and educated to “think TB” in their post-COVID-19 recovery period, to reduce patient and healthcare provider diagnostic delays. In low- to medium-risk settings for TB, screening for latent M. tuberculosis infection and treatment should be considered in diabetes patients recovering from COVID-19. Of note, current guidelines by the World Health Organization do not currently prioritize latent M. tuberculosis infection testing in diabetes patients [24]; however, this pre-COVID-19 recommendation should now be a consideration for those recovering from this viral infection. Finally, in developed countries where prophylactic TB treatment is administered, COVID-19 patients with diabetes comorbidity should be added to their targeted latent M. tuberculosis infection testing and treatment program.