Pneumology - Case Reports
December 3, 2021
Vol. 92 No. 3 (2022)
https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2021.2046

Pulmonary tuberculosis and COVID-19 coinfection: A new medical challenge

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Tuberculosis, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Cavitation, Pneumonia
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Authors

Miguel Osejo-Betancourt
mosejob@unbosque.edu.co
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3675-6403
Hospital Santa Clara, Bogotá, Colombia.
Sebastian Molina-Paez
Hospital Santa Clara, Bogotá, Colombia.
Mariana Rubio-Romero
Hospital Santa Clara, Bogotá, Colombia.

Radiological findings in chest radiography and respiratory symptomatology represent a great challenge of interpretation during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic, as their patterns can generate uncertainty at the time of diagnosis. This case highlights the importance in achieving an adequate correlation between diagnostic imaging and the clinical picture. We present a male adult who was admitted for 8 days of respiratory symptoms. Management with steroids was initiated according to the RECOVERY (Randomized Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy) protocol and later confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection was received. In the following weeks, he deteriorated slowly and progressively clinically, without reaching respiratory failure. Imaging showed a thick-walled cavitation in the right lower lobe. Tuberculosis was suspected and confirmed. The uniqueness of this case of COVID-19 coinfection in a patient with undiagnosed tuberculosis, represents a diagnostic and clinical management challenge, where the proper interpretation of chest radiology is a fundamental tool.

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“Pulmonary Tuberculosis and COVID-19 Coinfection: A New Medical Challenge”. 2021. Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease 92 (3). https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2021.2046.
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