Reactivation of chronic brucellosis infection after COVID-19 (case report)

Abstract

It has been proven that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, interacting with persistent latent pathogens in the human body, including those living in the ecosystems of the intestine, mouth and lungs, causes dysregulation of the immune system and can contribute to the reactivation of these pathogens. The authors of the article suggested this pathogenic virus can play the role of a superantigen and trigger the phenomenon of polyclonal activation of lymphocytes, due to which various clones of lymphocytes may be activated, thereby giving impetus to the reactivation of a chronic persistent infection. This article describes a clinical case of a patient who had previously undergone an effectively treated form of chronic brucellosis in history, with signs of reactivation of brucellosis infection detected after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, confirmed by clinical laboratory and instrumental studies.