• Muhammet Ridvan Taysi, Fatma Yildirim, Meltem Simsek, Halil Ibrahim Dural, and Irfan Sencan.
• Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
• J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2023 Feb 1; 33 (2): 181187181-187.

Objective To determine frequency, microbiologic characteristics and risks of secondary infections in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Study DesignAn Observational study.Place And Duration Of Study COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU), University of Health Sciences, Diskapı Yildirim Beyazit Research and Training Hospital, Turkey, from July 2020 to January 2021.MethodologyDemographic data of the COVID-19 patients with ARDS, was collected with reference to (age, gender), comorbidities, illness scores, ICU management modalities, hospital, and ICU stay durations and ICU outcomes. Secondary infections [bloodstream infection (BSI), possible lower respiratory tract infection (pLRTI) or urinary tract infections (UTI)], microbiologic pathogens, and resistant patterns were recorded.Results A total of 205 COVID-19-related ARDS patients were included in this study. Out of them, 61 (29.8%) were diagnosed with secondary infection, 27 (13.1%) had at least one BSI, 20 (9.8%) had at least one pLRTI, and 34 (16.6%) had at least one UTI. Gram-negative pathogens were the most common cause of secondary infections (66/91, 72.5%). Klebsiella spp for BSI (10/19, 52.6%), Acinetobacter baumannii for pLRTI (10/18, 55.6%), and Escherichia coli for UTI (29/40, 72.5%) were the main causative agents. Among all Gram-negative bacteria, Carbapenem resistant was 62.1% (41/66) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases positivity was 22.7% (15/66). At multivariable analysis, application of mechanical ventilation (MV) longer than 48 h, central catheterisation longer than 72 h, ICU stay longer than 10 days, and the time from hospitalisation to admission to the ICU longer than 48 h were associated with secondary infections.ConclusionPatients with COVID-19 associated ARDS had a high rate of secondary infections. In order to reduce secondary infection in these patients, MV duration and ICU stay should be shortened and invasive catheters should be removed as soon as possible.Key WordsSARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Acute respiratory distress syndrome, Secondary infections.

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