Streptococcus pneumoniae Coinfection in COVID-19 in the Intensive Care Unit: A Series of Four Cases
Shrey Shah1, Chaitanya Karlapalem2, Pratik Patel1
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, NJ 07112, USA.
Abstract:
Bacterial coinfections in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia are uncommon, when compared to coinfections with other respiratory viruses. For example, the prevalence of bacterial coinfections in hospitalized seasonal influenza patients can exceed 30%, whereas the prevalence of bacterial coinfections in SARS-CoV-2 infection is less than 4%. Bacterial coinfections increase the severity of respiratory viral infections and have been associated with higher mortality and morbidity. Current literature shows that diagnostic testing and antibiotic therapy for bacterial infections are not necessary upon admission in majority of patients with SARS-CoV-2 patients. It is however important for the clinician to be cognizant of these coinfections since missing the diagnosis may pose a substantial risk to vulnerable COVID-19 patients. In that light, we present four cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfections complicating confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Insights
Bacterial coinfections are rare in COVID-19 patients, unlike influenza. While not typically requiring immediate antibiotics, clinicians must recognize these coinfections to prevent severe outcomes in vulnerable SARS-CoV-2 patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Bacterial coinfections are common with respiratory viruses like influenza, exceeding 30% in hospitalized patients.
- In contrast, bacterial coinfections complicating SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia are infrequent, occurring in less than 4% of cases.
- These coinfections can exacerbate respiratory illness severity, leading to increased mortality and morbidity.
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