Unfortunate Outcomes in Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Superimposed on Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease it causes, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), continue to have socioeconomic as well as health implications worldwide. The virus has already led to over 200,000 deaths in the United States alone. This is most likely secondary to quick respiratory deterioration seen in patients inflicted with the virus. In other words, the heightened inflammatory response leads to major organ system damage, which leads to rapid decompensation of the patient's clinical condition. Interestingly enough, some patients present with both the novel virus as well as a superimposed bacterial infection that further complicates the management of the disease. We present a case of a patient with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 as well as a pneumococcal urine antigen; he was treated with both appropriate antibiotics as well as dexamethasone and remdesivir for pneumonia and novel virus, respectively. The patient's hypoxemia continued to worsen with appropriate means of oxygenation and eventually led to cardiac arrest.

Superimposed Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) in a 26-Year-Old Female with No Underlying Co-Morbidities Recovering from COVID-19—Case Report

“…One of the major complications in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 is secondary bacterial infection of the respiratory system. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, which usually attacks the lungs but can attack any part of the body [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. It is estimated that one-quarter of the world’s population is latently infected with TB and has a 5–10% lifetime risk of falling ill with TB, and those with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition, or diabetes, or people who use tobacco are considered to be at high risk [ 14 ].…”