Bacteraemia variation during the COVID-19 pandemic; a multi-centre UK secondary care ecological analysis

Abstract Background We investigated for change in blood stream infections (BSI) with Enterobacterales, coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS), Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus during the first UK wave of SARS-CoV-2 across five London hospitals. Methods A retrospective multicentre ecological analysis was undertaken evaluating all cultures taken from adults 01 April 2017 to 30 2020 acute hospitals London. Linear trend ARIMA models allowing seasonality were used look significant variation. Results One hundred nineteen thousand eighty-four included. At height 2020, Enterobacterales bacteraemias at an historic low two trusts (63/3814, 1.65%), whilst CoNS BSI high (173/3814, 4.25%). This differed significantly both ( p = 0.013), central line associated BSIs (CLABSI) < 0.01) non-CLABSI 0.01), when compared prior periods, even seasonal S. pneumoniae 0.631) 0.617) did not vary throughout study period. Conclusions Significantly fewer than expected occurred peak COVID-19 pandemic; identifying potential causes, including unintended consequences national self-isolation public health messaging, is essential. High rates BSI, evidence increased CLABSI, but also likely contamination use personal protective equipment, may result inappropriate antimicrobial indicates a clear area intervention further waves.