Hospital-acquired infections among adult patients admitted for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Abstract

In a multicenter cohort of 963 adults hospitalized due to COVID-19, 5% had a proven hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and 21% had a proven/probable or possible HAI. Risk factors for proven/probable HAIs included intensive care unit admission, dexamethasone use, severe COVID-19, heart failure and antibiotic exposure upon admission.

Co-infections and superinfections complicating COVID-19 in cancer patients: A multicentre, international study

“…Patients with infectious complications in our study had worse outcomes, higher rates of acute respiratory distress syndrome, ICU admission, and increased mortality. These findings are consistent with those of previous reports of oncology patients with respiratory viral infections [4,6,7,9]. However, there are several variables that may influence the outcomes of cancer patients with COVID-19, particularly the presence of uncontrolled underlying malignancy.…”

“…In our large multinational cohort of onco-hematological patients with COVID-19, we found that the rate of co-infections at the time of diagnosis was more than double the rate reported in the general population [2][3][4][5] but the rate of superinfections was comparable to those observed in previous reports in the general population [6][7][8][9].…”

“…In contrast, nosocomial superinfections appear to be more frequent than coinfections, particularly among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and those receiving high doses of corticosteroids [4,[6][7][8][9]. These patients develop high rates of bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia.…”

“…These patients develop high rates of bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Additionally, emerging data have demonstrated unexpectedly high rates of fungal infections, such as candidemia and invasive aspergillosis, particularly among mechanically ventilated patients [4,5,[7][8][9][10]. Infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms have been reported some series [9].…”

“…Infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms have been reported some series [9]. Importantly, outcomes of patients with superinfections are likely to be poor, with prolonged hospital stay [6,7,9] and higher mortality [4,6].…”