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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus lung infection in coronavirus disease 2019: how common?

Matteo Bassetti1,2, Laura Magnasco1, Antonio Vena1,2

  • 1Infectious Diseases Unit, San Martino Policlinico Hospital - IRCCS.

Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|February 7, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent cause of lung infections in COVID-19 patients. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective antibiotic treatment and antimicrobial stewardship.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Patients with COVID-19 are susceptible to bacterial coinfections and superinfections.
  • Pulmonary bacterial infections can negatively impact COVID-19 patient outcomes.
  • The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) lung infections in COVID-19 patients is not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current literature on the epidemiology of MRSA lung infections in patients with COVID-19.
  • To highlight the challenges in accurately diagnosing bacterial coinfections in COVID-19 patients.
  • To emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship in managing these infections.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of existing studies on MRSA lung infections in COVID-19 patients.
  • Analysis of reported prevalence data for MRSA in bacterial lung infections.
  • Assessment of diagnostic challenges and treatment implications.

Main Results:

  • Significant heterogeneity exists in reported prevalence rates of MRSA lung infections among COVID-19 patients.
  • Relative prevalence of MRSA varies widely (2-29% among all bacterial infections, 11-65% among S. aureus infections).
  • MRSA is identified as a common pathogen in pulmonary infections complicating COVID-19.

Conclusions:

  • Rapid etiological diagnosis of bacterial lung infections in COVID-19 patients is essential.
  • Appropriate antibiotic therapy for MRSA infections can improve patient prognosis.
  • Antimicrobial stewardship principles must be applied to avoid antibiotic overuse.

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