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A Review of Antibiotic Efficacy in COVID-19 Control

Hamidreza Hekmat1, Aziz Rasooli2, Zeinab Siami3

  • 1Cardiology Department, Ziaeian Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Journal of Immunology Research
|October 19, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotics were frequently used for hospitalized coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients, often without clear evidence of effectiveness. Further research is crucial to establish appropriate antibiotic use and combat antimicrobial resistance in COVID-19 care.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Severe acute respiratory disease, including coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is often complicated by secondary infections, increasing mortality.
  • Mitochondria, crucial for cellular processes, are susceptible to various drugs, including antibiotics, which were widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The emergence of antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat, particularly in the context of widespread antibiotic use for viral infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on the reasons, evidence, and practices surrounding antibiotic use in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
  • To assess the empirical use of antibiotics in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and its established effectiveness.
  • To highlight the urgent need for further research into appropriate antibiotic therapy for COVID-19, considering secondary infections and antimicrobial resistance.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
  • The review focused on studies examining antibiotic prescription patterns, indications, and outcomes in both inpatient and outpatient COVID-19 settings.
  • Evidence regarding the efficacy of antibiotic treatment in COVID-19 patients was critically evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotic use was found to be widespread among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, frequently administered empirically.
  • The effectiveness of this empirical antibiotic approach in managing COVID-19 has not been clearly established.
  • Secondary infections contribute significantly to the high mortality rates observed in COVID-19 patients.

Conclusions:

  • The empirical use of antibiotics in COVID-19 patients requires further investigation to determine its true benefit.
  • Developing clear guidelines for antibiotic therapy is essential to address secondary infections and mitigate the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.
  • Future research should focus on identifying the most appropriate rationale for antibiotic administration in COVID-19 management.

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