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Empiric Antibiotics in COVID 19: A Narrative Review

Elvina C Lingas1

  • 1Internal Medicine, Presbyterian Hospital, Albuquerque, USA.

Cureus
|July 7, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial stewardship is crucial during COVID-19 to combat resistance. This review examines the appropriate use of antibiotics in COVID-19 patients, especially concerning co-infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a significant global health threat.
  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern, jeopardizing medical progress and sustainable development goals.
  • Antimicrobial stewardship programs aim to optimize antimicrobial use and prevent resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the role and impact of empiric antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients.
  • To assess potential risks to antimicrobial stewardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To determine the necessity of antibiotics in COVID-19 management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on antibiotic use in COVID-19.
  • Analysis of data regarding co-infections in COVID-19 patients.
  • Evaluation of antimicrobial stewardship principles in the context of the pandemic.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotics are frequently administered to COVID-19 patients, even those with mild illness or without pneumonia.
  • Antimicrobial therapy offers no documented benefit for COVID-19 patients lacking microbial co-infections.
  • COVID-19 patients may face an increased risk of secondary microbial infections requiring antibiotic treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Judicious use of antibiotics is essential in COVID-19 management to preserve antimicrobial efficacy.
  • Antimicrobial stewardship efforts must be maintained and adapted during pandemics.
  • Further research is needed to guide antibiotic prescribing for COVID-19 patients with potential co-infections.
Keywords:
antibiotic stewardshipantibioticscovid19empiric antibioticssars-cov2

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