Bacterial Coinfections in Coronavirus Disease 2019.

TitleBacterial Coinfections in Coronavirus Disease 2019.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsWestblade LF, Simon MS, Satlin MJ
JournalTrends Microbiol
Volume29
Issue10
Pagination930-941
Date Published2021 10
ISSN1878-4380
KeywordsAnti-Bacterial Agents, Bacteria, Bacterial Infections, Bacterial Physiological Phenomena, Coinfection, COVID-19, Humans, SARS-CoV-2
Abstract

Bacterial coinfections increase the severity of respiratory viral infections and were frequent causes of mortality in influenza pandemics but have not been well characterized in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this review was to identify the frequency and microbial etiologies of bacterial coinfections that are present upon admission to the hospital and that occur during hospitalization for COVID-19. We found that bacterial coinfections were present in <4% of patients upon admission and the yield of routine diagnostic tests for pneumonia was low. When bacterial coinfections did occur, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae were the most common pathogens and atypical bacteria were rare. Although uncommon upon admission, bacterial infections frequently occurred in patients with prolonged hospitalization, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp., and S. aureus were common pathogens. Antibacterial therapy and diagnostic testing for bacterial infections are unnecessary upon admission in most patients hospitalized with COVID-19, but clinicians should be vigilant for nosocomial bacterial infections.

DOI10.1016/j.tim.2021.03.018
Alternate JournalTrends Microbiol
PubMed ID33934980
PubMed Central IDPMC8026275
Related Faculty: 
Lars Westblade, Ph.D.

Category:

Pathology & Laboratory Medicine 1300 York Avenue New York, NY 10065 Phone: (212) 746-6464
Surgical Pathology: (212) 746-2700