Detection of Viral and Bacterial Respiratory Pathogens Identified by Molecular Methods in COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients and Its Impact on Mortality and Unfavorable Outcomes.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the frequency of viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens detected by molecular methods in sputum samples of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and to evaluate its impact on mortality and unfavorable outcomes (in-hospital death or mechanical ventilation). The prospective cohort included patients with diagnosis of COVID-19 hospitalized at Hospital Nacional Hipólito Unanue. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from clinical records. Sputum samples were analyzed with the Biofire Filmarray Pneumonia plus Ninety-three patients who were able to collect sputum samples were recruited between September 8 and December 28, 2020. The median age was 61.7 years (IQR 52.3-69-8) and 66 (71%) were male. The most frequent symptoms were dyspnea, cough, fever, and general malaise found in 80 (86%), 76 (82%), 45 (48%), and 34 (37%) patients, respectively. Fifty-three percent of patients had comorbidities. Seventy-six (82%) patients received antibiotics prior to admission and 29 (31%) developed unfavorable outcome. Coinfection was evidenced in 38 (40.86%) cases. The most frequently found bacteria were A high frequency of respiratory pathogens was detected by molecular methods in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia but were not associated with unfavorable outcomes. No atypical agents or influenza virus were found. The high use antibiotics before admission is a concern. Our data suggest that the use of drug therapy against atypical bacteria and viruses would not be justified in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

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© 2021 Soto et al.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.