A BSTRACT Introduction: The world is experiencing a pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2. The prescription of a superfluity of unnecessary antibiotics without regard for the potential for increased antimicrobial resistances is extensive and unimpeded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims: To compare the microorganisms and the pattern of antimicrobial resistance of bacteremia during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care hospital. Methods and Material: This retrospective observational study, to compared the blood culture of the COVID-19 pandemic during the first wave (April 2020 to September 2020) and the second wave (April 2021 to September 2021). All the blood culture isolates were identified and the antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done according to standard guidelines. Results: Out of 1470 blood culture samples, 259 (17.6%) blood bacterial isolates were grown in the first wave and, out of 4200 blood culture samples, 711 (16.9%) bacterial isolated during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CONS) was 32.8% followed by Staphylococcus aureus 29.7% in COVID first wave and staphylococcus aureus (48.9%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.6%) during COVID second wave were the most prevalent isolates. Conclusions: This study shows that coagulase-negative staphylococcus aureus and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella spp. are the leading causes of bloodstream coagulase-negative infections during both the first and second wave in the bloodstream COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been impacting the life and economy across the globe since December 2019 and has caused major disruptions worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic had resurfaced in India in the form of a hard-hitting second wave around April 2021Blood stream infections (BSI) are one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in tertiary care hospitals amongst COVID-19 patients.: This study was conducted to assess the bloodstream infections and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of in a COVID-19 dedicated tertiary care centre.This retrospective observational study was carried out from April 2021 to September 2021 in a bacteriology laboratory, department of Microbiology, at a dedicated COVID-19 tertiary care centre. Blood Cultures of all COVID-19 confirmed cases were sought for and Bacterial Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility were performed as per the standard guidelines.A total of4200 blood culture samples from COVID-19 positive patients were received during April 2021- September 2021 for analyses of microorganisms and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of blood stream infection. 16.9% samples were grew significant bacteria. Gram-positive isolates outnumbered than Gram-negative organisms (1.36:1). Amongst Gram-negative microorganisms, most commonly isolated bacteria were . (11.8%) and amongst gram-positive organisms, (n=348; 48.9%) was most commonly isolated.The blood culture positivity along with their antimicrobial susceptibility is the need of the hour in order to aid hospitals to formulate and implement antimicrobial stewardship guidelines