Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a respiratory virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which includes infection within the respiratory tract and lung and in severe cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is another respiratory pathogen that causes severe complications in the lung and 1.4 million deaths annually. Rates of TB in Saskatchewan (7.5 per 100,000) are much higher than the national average (4.7 per 100,000).

Principle investigators Dr. Arinjay Banerjee and Dr. Neeraj Dhar and their team were recently awarded a $149,825 Impact Grant to investigate how co-infection with Mtb and SARS-CoV-2 impact lung health.

Using a state-of-the-art human lung organoid model, these researchers hope the results from this study will enable physicians and public health regulatory bodies in Saskatchewan and the world to make informed decisions to understand and alleviate the struggles of patients that are co-infected with TB and SARS-CoV-2.