RELATIONSHIP OF PRIOR PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS WITH THE OCCURRENCE OF COVID-19 PNEUMONIA: REVIEW OF 500 PLUS HRCT CHEST SCANS FROM TWO DIFFERENT CENTRES OF SINDH, PAKISTAN

Authors

  • Naveed Ahmed National Medical Centre, Karachi Super Diagnostic Centre, Hyderabad Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi
  • Samar Hamid Super Diagnostic Centre, Hyderabad Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi
  • Mubeen Ahmed Memon Super Diagnostic Centre, Hyderabad Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Hyderabad

Abstract

B Background: COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the entire world. However, its severity and mortality rate are lesser in developing countries, including Pakistan. This study aims to determine the association of prior pulmonary tuberculosis with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two centres of Sindh, Pakistan. 521 HRCT chest performed from 1st May to 31st July 2020 were included and marked as “COVID-19 group”. 761 HRCT chest performed during the first six months of 2019 were retrospectively evaluated to determine the prevalence of prior pulmonary tuberculosis and marked as the “pre-COVID-19 group”. Previous pulmonary tuberculosis was documented as evidenced by clinical history, ATT intake and HRCT findings. Chi-square test was used to determine the association of prior pulmonary tuberculosis with COVID-19 pneumonia. A p-value of ≤0.01 was considered statistically significant. Results: In the “COVID-19 group”, 4.9% (n=26) patients had prior pulmonary tuberculosis. In the “pre-COVID-19 group”, 9.8% (n=75) patients had prior pulmonary tuberculosis with a confirmed history of tuberculosis in 8.9% (n=68) and without documented history in 0.9% (n=7) cases. A significant p-value of 0.001 was obtained with a confidence interval of 99%. Conclusion: Prior pulmonary tuberculosis might have a protective effect against COVID-19 pneumonia which could be due to developed antibodies secondary to exposure to prior tuberculosis or BCG vaccination. Our results warrant further consideration due to the potential public-health benefits that can be achieved in our fight against the novel pandemic.

Author Biographies

Naveed Ahmed, National Medical Centre, Karachi Super Diagnostic Centre, Hyderabad Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi

Consultant Radiologist in the Department of Radiology:1. National Medical Centre, Karachi2. Super Diagnostic Centre, Hyderabad3. Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi

Samar Hamid, Super Diagnostic Centre, Hyderabad Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi

Consultant Radiologist in Department of Radiology:1. Super Diagnostic Centre, Hyderabad2. Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi

Mubeen Ahmed Memon, Super Diagnostic Centre, Hyderabad Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Hyderabad

Assistant Professor Pulmonology at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, HyderabadConsultant pulmonologist at Super diagnostic centre, Hyderabad

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Published

2021-06-28

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 3 (2021): Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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