Doctors ave revea e an extreme y rare case at sawt e Covi
vaccine reawaken a deadly virus inside a man’s body.
The unnamed 47-year-old had been living with a dormant tuberculosis
infection that was not causing symptoms when he received his booster
shot in India.
Covid Booster and Tuberculosis: A Rare Immune Reaction Case
Case Overview
A previously healthy man developed severe constitutional symptoms
five days after receiving his third Covid booster shot. His symptoms
included high fever, fatigue, and night sweats.
Upon further examination, doctors discovered that his immune system
had become overly active due to the vaccine, leading it to aggressively
attack a latent tuberculosis (TB) infection, triggering an
inflammatory response known as tuberculosis immune
reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS). This marked the
first documented case of TB-IRIS linked to a Covid booster.
He was treated with high-dose steroids to manage the immune
system’s overreaction, and over the course of several weeks, he was
gradually tapered off the medication.
Tuberculosis: The World’s Deadliest Infectious Disease
TB has surpassed Covid as the leading cause of infectious disease-
related deaths globally since 2023. Each year, 8 million people are
diagnosed, and over 1 million deaths occur worldwide due to the
disease.
Initial Symptoms and Misdiagnosis
The patient initially sought medical attention due to pain in his hands
and fingers. Based on clinical evaluations, he was diagnosed with
rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that causes
chronic inflammation in the joints.
Before starting RA treatment, doctors conducted routine tests,
including a chest X-ray and a TB test, both of which returned negative
results. He was then prescribed two common medications for his
arthritis.
Shortly after, he received two doses of the Pfizer Covid vaccine,
administered four weeks apart.
Unexpected TB Diagnosis
Six months after starting arthritis treatment, the patient began
experiencing: Headaches
Night sweats
o
Fevers
o
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
A CT scan confirmed inflamed lymph nodes on both sides of his neck.
Doctors performed a biopsy, which led to a definitive diagnosis of
tuberculosis.
He was immediately started on a four-drug TB treatment plan, and
within five days, his symptoms significantly improved.
TB Symptoms Worsen After Third Covid Booster
Two weeks later, he received a third Covid booster shot. Shortly
afterward, his TB symptoms returned more aggressively, including:
Severe chills
O High fevers
Excessive sweating
Doctors suspected that his immune system, reactivated by the mRNA
vaccine, overreacted to the TB infection, causing TB-IRIS—an
exaggerated immune response seen in immunocompromised patients.
Understanding TB-IRIS and the Immune System Response
TB-IRIS occurs when a previously weakened immune system
suddenly becomes active, failing to differentiate between foreign
invaders and the body’s own tissues. This leads to excessive
inflammation, complicating TB treatment.
Doctors treated him with IV steroids for five days, then switched him
to oral steroids for three months. Additionally, he remained on TB
medication for over a year before his symptoms fully subsided.
By his 18-month follow-up, his TB symptoms had disappeared, and he
was able to resume arthritis treatment.
Link Between mRNA Vaccines and Immune Reactions
Doctors noted that there have been several reports linking mRNA
vaccines to autoimmune flare-ups. The mRNA in Covid vaccines
carries genetic instructions that stimulate an immune response,
which in some cases, can lead to excessive inflammation.
Other inflammatory conditions linked to mRNA vaccines include:
Myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation)
Pericarditis (inflammation around the heart lining)
While vaccines remain highly effective in preventing severe viral
infections, certain individuals—especially those with underlying
immune conditions—may experience heightened inflammatory
responses.
Conclusion
This rare case highlights the complexity of immune responses
triggered by vaccines, especially in individuals with pre-existing
conditions or latent infections. It underscores the importance of
thorough medical screening before vaccinations, particularly for those
with autoimmune disorders or immunosuppressive treatments.
Physicians recommend careful monitoring and an individualized
approach for patients with complex medical histories when
administering booster shots or immune-activating treatments.