Abstract
Introduction Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has limited treatment options, concern
has been raised over secondary infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns.
It has been observed that patients who were infected with COVID-19 were predisposed
to develop secondary infections. The purpose of the study is to ascertain the prevalence
of the bacterial and fungal coinfections in COVID-19 patients, and also to assess
the AMR patterns in the obtained isolates.
Methods We have studied 200 clinical samples obtained from 122 COVID-19 positive patients.
Pathogens were identified using Vitek 2 system. The demographic and clinical patterns
were also observed.
Results A total of 122 patients developed secondary infections. Patients aged more than 40
years were majorly affected (p-value < 0.0001). Respiratory samples (n = 96) were predominant. Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 68) was the most common pathogen isolated followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 54) and an overall 6% rise in the Carbapenem resistance was observed in the isolates.
Conclusion To contain the secondary infections in COVID-19 patients, it is imperative to adhere
to antimicrobial stewardship program and timely revise the empirical antibiotic policy.
Keywords
antimicrobial resistance - coagulase-negative staphylococcus - central line associated
bloodstream infections
