Coinfections in COVID-19 patients may worsen disease outcomes and need further investigation. We found that a higher proportion of patients with COVID-19 were coinfected with one or more additional pathogens. A better understanding of the prevalence of coinfection with other respiratory pathogens in COVID-19 patients and the profile of pathogens can contribute to effective patient management and antibiotic stewardship during the current pandemic.

Emerging evidence shows co-infection with atypical bacteria in coronavirus disease 2019 patients. Respiratory illness caused by atypical bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila may show overlapping manifestations and imaging features with COVID-19 causing clinical and laboratory diagnostic issues. We conducted a prospective study to identify co-infections with SARS-CoV-2 and atypical bacteria in an Indian tertiary hospital. From June 2020 to January 2021, a total of 194 patients with laboratoryconfirmed COVID-19 were also tested for atypical bacterial pathogens. For diagnosing M. pneumoniae, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and serology (IgM ELISA) were performed. C. pneumoniae diagnosis was made based on IgM serology. L. pneumophila diagnosis was based on PCR or urinary antigen testing. Clinical and epidemiological features of SARS-CoV-2 and atypical bacteria-positive and -negative patient groups were compared. Of the 194 patients admitted with COVID-19, 17 (8.8%) were also diagnosed with M. pneumoniae (n = 10) or C. pneumoniae infection (n = 7). Confusion, headache, and bilateral infiltrate were found more frequently in the SARS CoV-2 and atypical bacteria co-infection group. Patients in the M. pneumoniae or C. pneumoniae co-infection group were more likely to develop ARDS, required ventilatory support, had a longer hospital length of stay, and higher fatality rate compared to patients with only SARS-CoV-2. Our report highlights co-infection with bacteria causing atypical pneumonia should be considered in patients with SARS-CoV-2 depending on the clinical context. Timely identification of co-existing pathogens can provide pathogen-targeted treatment and prevent fatal outcomes of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the current pandemic.

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Proactive environmental surveillance for Legionella pneumophila in hospitals that treat immunocompromised patients is a useful strategy for preventing nosocomial Legionnaires’ disease. We report the presence of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 in 15.2% of the water systems of our tertiary healthcare center, which should prompt health officials to formulate mitigation policies.

INTRODUCTIONHepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a double-stranded, enveloped DNA virus of the Hepadnaviridae family. It is transmitted parenterally or permucosal exposure to infected blood or other body fluids. Hepatitis B is a serious infectious disease of the liver which affects millions of people worldwide. Chronic viral hepatitis is a major global public health problem, an important cause of morbidity and mortality from sequelae which include chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and primary liver cancer.1 India has intermediate endemicity of hepatitis B, with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence between 2% and 7%.2 HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) infection is an occupational hazard for health care workers and for public safety workers who have exposure to blood and blood products in the workplace and the risk of acquiring HBV infections depends on the frequency of percutaneous and ABSTRACT Background: HBV(Hepatitis B Virus) infection is an occupational hazard for health care workers and the risk of acquiring HBV infections depends on the frequency of percutaneous and permucosal exposure to blood or bloodcontaminated body fluids. Avoiding occupational blood exposure is primary preventive means for the transmission of HBV. However, the single most effective measure for the prevention of hepatitis B is active immunisation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried among 204 medical and nursing students in second year of their course using pre-designed questionnaire comprised of questions which included age, sex, qualification, awareness, occupational risk perception & vaccination against hepatitis B infection. Results: 69.12% of the respondents knew various modes of transmission of hepatitis B. More than half (56.86%) of the respondents knew that HBV infection causes liver cancer. 79.41% of the respondents knew the correct course of action after a needle stick injury. Only 61.27% of the respondents knew that blood soaked cotton and dressings are discarded in yellow coloured bags and that sharps and needles are disposed in white coloured bags. Only 36.46% of medical students & 57.41% of nursing students were completely vaccinated. Conclusion: Considering the long-term consequences of HBV infection, the health of the study population is at risk. Preventive strategies against the diseases, especially vaccination programmes, should be developed and taken aggressively to improve the vaccination coverage among the study population.