Research Articles
Prevalence of secondary blood stream infections in patients with SARS- CoV-2 infection in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka: A retrospective analysis
Authors:
K. D. Namalie ,
Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, LK
About K. D.
Department of Microbiology
W. H. S. De Silva,
Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, LK
About W. H. S.
Department of Microbiology
F. S. Makeen,
Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, LK
About F. S.
Department of Microbiology
G. Premawansa
Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, LK
About G.
Department of Medicine
Abstract
Introduction: Secondary infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Early administration of effective antimicrobials improves patient outcome of such infections. In the present study, we investigated secondary blood stream infections (BSI) among COVID-19 patients in Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka (CNTH).
Methods: This is a descriptive study, performed to analyse blood culture positive events retrospectively in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in our institution from 1st June 2021 to 30th November 2021.
Results: Of a total 434 blood cultures received from SARS-COV-2 positive patients, the overall blood culture positivity rate was 25.3 % (110/434) of which 11.7% (51/434) were clinically relevant bacteraemias. The contamination rate was 13.7% (59/434). Of the 60 isolates from clinically relevant bacteraemias, 60% (36/60) were Gram negative organisms, 31.7% (19/60) were Gram positive organisms and 8.3% (5/60) were Candida spp. The most prevalent isolates were Enterococcus spp. (20%; 12/60) and Acinetobacter spp. (15%; 9/60).
Higher rates of multi drug resistance were observed among Gram negative isolates. The proportion of 3rd generation cephalosporins and ciprofloxacin resistance among enterobacterales was 81.3% and carbapenem resistance among Acinetobacter spp. was 77.8%. A primary focus of infection could be identified in only 18 blood stream infections (BSI).
Conclusion: A high rate of significant BSIs was detected in this patient cohort. Blood culture contamination rate among COVID-19 patients was higher than the usual rates in the institution. A high number of bacteraemias due to
Enterococcus spp. and
Acinetobacter spp. were noted and overall antibiotic resistance among Gram negative organisms was high.
How to Cite:
Namalie, K.D., De Silva, W.H.S., Makeen, F.S. and Premawansa, G., 2023. Prevalence of secondary blood stream infections in patients with SARS- CoV-2 infection in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka: A retrospective analysis. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases, 13(1), pp.E37 1–10. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v13i1.8524
Published on
11 Apr 2023.
Peer Reviewed
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