The Interplay Between Psychological Stress and Tuberculosis: Assessing Infection Vulnerability

Abstract

Objective: This literature review focuses on the intersections of psychosocial stressors, infection vulnerability, immunology, and Tuberculosis (TB) to identify at-risk groups and biomarkers related to immunosuppression and TB contraction. Method: The goals of this paper are to demonstrate that individuals who experience psychosocial stressors, including chronic stress and depression, have a higher risk of developing TB due to immunological alterations related to disease vulnerability. This paper will be a literature review utilizing two Google Scholar searches. Articles related to psychosocial stress, mental illness and tuberculosis will be analyzed for trends in biomarkers and at-risk groups. Results: Psychosocial stressors, specifically depression, cause dysregulations in the pro-inflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor, IL-6, IL-2, and IL-1β, as well as T-cell functions and CD4/CD8 ratios, which place individuals in immunocompromised states. Biological markers are part of intersectional structures that frequently put specific individuals at risk. These groups include people experiencing homelessness, migrants, individuals with depression, anxiety, mental illness, or who are experiencing grief, financial hardship and substance abuse issues. Conclusion: Psychosocial factors, specifically depression, create biological changes and immunosuppression that place individuals at a heightened risk of developing Tuberculosis.