Mycobacterial Infections and COVID-19: Converging Pathways of Immunity, Pathogenesis, and Global Health Challenges

Mycobacterial diseases, including tuberculosis (TB), leprosy, and non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections, continue to impose a substantial global health burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These pathogens are characterized by complex host–pathogen interactions, intracellular survival within macrophages, and immune responses driven largely by Th1/Th17 pathways and granuloma formation. The emergence of COVID-19 introduced an additional layer of complexity, as SARS-CoV-2 infection is also marked by profound immune activation, cytokine imbalance, and inflammatory tissue damage.The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted major vulnerabilities in global health systems, particularly in countries burdened by mycobacterial diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), leprosy, and non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections. These diseases share overlapping immunological pathways with SARS-CoV-2 infection, including macrophage activation, Th1/Th17 responses, cytokine dysregulation, and inflammatory tissue damage. However, the biological interactions, clinical consequences, and public health implications of co-existing viral and mycobacterial infections remain insufficiently understood. Disruptions in diagnostic services, treatment adherence, and surveillance programs during the pandemic have further compounded disease burden in endemic settings.This Research Topic aims to address these critical gaps by bringing together multidisciplinary evidence on immune modulation, co-infection dynamics, trained immunity (including BCG-related effects), genomic insights, therapeutic interactions, and health system resilience. By integrating molecular research, clinical data, epidemiological modeling, and One Health perspectives, this collection seeks to generate actionable knowledge that informs policy, strengthens integrated disease control strategies, and improves preparedness for overlapping infectious threats. Ultimately, the goal is to support evidence-based interventions that enhance diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and pandemic resilience in high-burden and resource-limited regions.This Research Topic invites contributions that explore the intersection between COVID-19 and mycobacterial diseases, including tuberculosis, leprosy, and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections. We welcome studies examining immunological mechanisms of co-infection, cytokine modulation, macrophage polarization, granuloma dynamics, and trained immunity, particularly in relation to BCG vaccination. Submissions addressing clinical outcomes, diagnostic challenges, therapeutic interactions, drug resistance, and long-term sequelae of dual infections are encouraged. Topic editors: Ravindra P. Turankar, Ellojita Rout, Mallika Lavania, Chaman Saini Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79466/mycobacterial-infections-and-covid-19-converging-pathways-of-immunity-pathogenesis-and-global-health-challenges