Tuberculosis under the “mask” of coronavirus pneumonia during the decline of the COVID-19 pandemic

Periods of increased incidence of respiratory viral infections are associated with increased risk of misdiagnosing other diseases with respiratory symptoms, including tuberculosis.

The purpose of the study is to analyze the problem of differential diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Methods. The study was conducted at a city hospital that accepts patients with suspected new coronavirus infection around the clock. Two groups were recruited over 12 months using the continuous sampling method. The first group included 21 patients who were diagnosed with newly developed pulmonary tuberculosis that was initially diagnosed as coronavirus, the second group included 37 patients treated with the diagnosis of a new coronavirus infection. Statistical data processing was performed in MedCalc 19.2.6. Statistical Software.

Results. The percentage of men was higher in the group with tuberculosis. No statistically significant differences were found in the medical history. Statistically significant differences between the studied groups were observed in total bilirubin, total protein, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, ESR, hemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, age, the presence of sputum, loss of smell. The logistic regression method was used. Stepwise elimination led to a model that presents the most significant six indicators which can be useful in the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis and coronavirus in patients with a negative PCR test for coronavirus: hemoglobin, fibrinogen, leukocytes, ESR, CRP, and the presence of sputum.

Conclusion. Regardless of the current epidemiological situation for seasonal respiratory infections, tuberculosis does not lose its significance as an infectious disease that requires timely and competent differential diagnosis

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