Tuberculosis and COVID-19 in the Elderly: Factors Driving a Higher Burden of Disease

Overview

Journal Front Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2023 Oct 16

PMID 37841265

Authors

Anna Allue-Guardia

Jordi B Torrelles

Alex Sigal

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

() and SARS-CoV-2 are both infections that can lead to severe disease in the lower lung. However, these two infections are caused by very different pathogens ( virus), they have different mechanisms of pathogenesis and immune response, and differ in how long the infection lasts. Despite the differences, SARS-CoV-2 and share a common feature, which is also frequently observed in other respiratory infections: the burden of disease in the elderly is greater. Here, we discuss possible reasons for the higher burden in older adults, including the effect of co-morbidities, deterioration of the lung environment, auto-immunity, and a reduced antibody response. While the answer is likely to be multifactorial, understanding the main drivers across different infections may allow us to design broader interventions that increase the health-span of older people.

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