Effects of COVID-19 Infection or Vaccination on Interferon-gamma Release Assays in Latent Tuberculosis

In the realm of infectious diseases, COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB) are significant yet distinct threats that notably impact human health worldwide. Both diseases predominantly affect the lungs, can disseminate across various organs, and are known for invoking interferon gamma responses. Recent observations highlight that post-COVID sequelae often involve immunosuppression, which is a critical factor that can heighten the risk of severe infections such as TB. Furthermore, the combination of these diseases indicates exacerbated health risks, as those who contract both TB and COVID-19 simultaneously are likely to suffer from greater mortality and worse treatment outcomes.

This Research Topic aims to comprehensively analyze how COVID-19—through infection or vaccination—affects interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs). These assays are crucial for diagnosing latent TB infections, especially among high-risk groups such as healthcare workers and those living with HIV/AIDS. Given the global urgency of managing TB effectively, understanding the interaction between COVID-19 and IGRAs could significantly alter clinical practices and public health policies.

To gather further insights in this underexplored area, we welcome Original Research articles, Methods, Reviews and Mini reviews (please note that Case Reports are not accepted) addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o The effect of COVID-19 infection on the sensitivity and specificity of IGRAs.
o The impact of COVID-19 vaccines on IGRA results in populations at high risk for TB.
o Longitudinal studies on TB and COVID-19 coinfection dynamics.
o Immune response mechanisms in coinfected patients.
o Policy implications for TB screening in the era of COVID-19.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: interferon gamma release assays, COVID-19, latent tuberculosis, COVID-19 infection, COVID-19 vaccination, diagnosis

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.