Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2 interactions
Research type
Research Study
Full title
TB and COVID-19 coinfection: Investigating the clinical and biological interactions between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2
IRAS ID
303500
Contact name
Matthew O'Shea
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance and Integrity, University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The novel SARS-CoV-2 and ancient Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) represent a collision of the public health emergencies and coinfection with these infectious pathogens could have disastrous consequences for the UK and internationally.
There is significant potential for COVID-19 to superimpose on M.tb infections, resulting in coinfections that co-exacerbate. This may potentially be more important in indolent, latent tuberculosis infections (LTBI), which are typically well-controlled by active, ongoing immunity. For instance, SARS-CoV-2 causes marked lymphopenia in symptomatic COVID-19 disease. Since antigen-specific T-cell responses are crucial for the control of M.tb and in LTBI diagnostics, this may have serious sequelae. Moreover, preliminary studies suggest that TB infection and disease increase susceptibility and disease severity in COVID-19. However, this relationship is poorly
characterised - naturally, there is currently more opinion in the literature than data. There are no data about the influence of SARS-CoV-2 on the progression of LTBI to active TB (ATB) and no experimental data surrounding immunopathological aspects of M.tb and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection. To answer these unknowns we will address the following hypothesis and objectives:Hypothesis “SARS-CoV-2 infection impairs immune control of M.tb, with the potential for progression of LTBI
to ATB and confounding LTBI diagnostics”Objectives:
To determine the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on immune control of M.tb.REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EM/0211
Date of REC Opinion
18 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion