Speakers

Biography

Associate Professor Anthony Byrne is an experienced Respiratory Physician at St Vincent’s and St George hospitals in Sydney, an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of New South Wales, and a respiratory and global health researcher as principal investigator on many national and international investigations. Professor Byrne co-leads the multi-disciplinary Long COVID service at St Vincent’s Hospital with Professor Steven Faux and is also the lead of the Tuberculosis service at the hospital. Current research includes interventional and observational studies on acute and post-COVID-19 disease (Long COVID), therapeutic drug monitoring, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (including Post TB sequelae), and respiratory health in resource-limited settings. Professor Byrne completed his Ph.D. studies through the University of Sydney with seminal research into the effect of tuberculosis on the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Lima, Peru, under the supervision of Prof Ben Marais and Prof Guy Marks (current president of the International Union) and Harvard University!s Prof Carole Mitnick. This important work has led to ongoing research collaboration with institutions around the world including Partners In Health (Peru), GHESKIO (Haiti), Harvard University (USA), University of Florida (USA), McGill University (Canada), Karuna Trust (India) and Stellenbosch University (South Africa). Exciting new research into Long COVID with Professor Bruce Brew, Steven Faux, and Lucette Cysique, as well as collaborating institutions in Australia and beyond, include the University of NSW, Curran Foundation, the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, the Kirby Institute, and Macquarie University.

Abstract

The last three years have seen over 10 million people die globally as a consequence of acute disease from COVID-19 and Tuberculosis. The two causative pathogens, SARS-CoV-2 virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli, have been the most deadly infections in the world in recent years, with both declared global pandemics by the World Health Organization. For the survivors of these infections, there are ongoing health-related disability and increased risk of critical chronic diseases that reduce the quality of life and overall survival. The post-infective sequelae of these two infections are increasingly recognized as being essential to understand better to minimize morbidity and symptom burden amongst survivors. This presentation outlines the available evidence for and understanding of Post-TB and Post-Acute COVID sequelae, as well as a clinician approach to its investigation and management.