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Updated: Jul 5, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
Published on: November 10, 2023
Characterization of Coinfections in Patients with COVID-19
Alexander Pai1, Zahra Kanji2, James Joshua Douglas3
1, BSc(Biochem), ACPR, PharmD, is a Clinical Pharmacist with the Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Background:
Little is known about coinfections in patients with COVID-19, with antibiotics often initiated empirically.
Objectives:
To determine the rates and characteristics of early and late coinfections in COVID-19 patients and to characterize the use of anti-infective agents, especially antibiotics.
Methods:
This retrospective chart review involved patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to Lions Gate Hospital (Vancouver, British Columbia) between January 1 and June 30, 2020. Data were extracted from electronic medical records, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.
Results:
Of the 48 patients admitted during the study period, 10 (21%) were determined to have coinfections: 3 (6%) had early coinfections and 7 (15%) had late coinfections. Early empiric use of antibiotics was observed in 32 (67%) patients; for 29 (91%) of these 32 patients, the therapy was deemed inappropriate. Patients with coinfections had longer hospital stays and more complications.
Conclusions:
Despite low rates of early coinfection, empiric antibiotics were started for a majority of the patients. Most late coinfections occurred in patients in the intensive care unit who required mechanical ventilation. Patients with coinfections had poorer outcomes than those without coinfections.
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