The Acquisition of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Patients Admitted to COVID-19 Intensive Care Units: A Monocentric...

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges in intensive care units (ICUs).
• The impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the acquisition of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) in ICUs remains unclear.
• Understanding MDRB acquisition is crucial for infection control in critical care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic modified the risk of MDRB acquisition in ICU patients.
• To compare MDRB acquisition rates between patients admitted to a COVID-19 ICU and a control group.

Main Methods:

• A single-center case-control study was conducted.
• Patients admitted to a COVID-19 ICU were compared with control patients (subarachnoid hemorrhage) matched for ICU stay and mechanical ventilation.
• Systematic screening for MDRB carriage was performed, and a competing risk analysis was used to compare acquisition rates.

Main Results:

• The incidence density of MDRB acquisition was 30/1000 patient-days in the COVID-19 ICU and 18/1000 patient-days in the control group.
• Antimicrobial therapy and duration of exposure were associated with increased MDRB acquisition.
• The multivariable competing risk analysis showed no statistically significant association between COVID-19 admission and increased MDRB acquisition risk (sHR 1.71).

Conclusions:

• Despite strict isolation measures, the MDRB acquisition rate in ICU patients during the first wave of COVID-19 was similar to previous periods.
• The COVID-19 crisis did not appear to significantly increase the risk of MDRB acquisition in this ICU setting.
• Continued surveillance and infection control practices are essential in ICUs, even during pandemics.