The Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on the Distribution of Secondary Bacterial Pneumonia Agents and Antibiotic Resistance Profile in Intensive Care Units

Since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) a pandemic on March 11, 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has caused high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The addition secondary bacterial infections such as pneumonia to clinical course led more disease. This situation an increase in use antibiotics for both prophylactic therapeutic purposes concerns about antibiotic resistance multi-drug resistant strains. 679 patients (Group 1) with diagnosis confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 366 who were followed up anesthesia intensive care unit (ICU) during but had negative PCR test results 2) included this study; all them treated ICU our hospital between April 2020 - May 2022. In order observe possible effects infection distribution causative agent changes patterns, data 363 3) 2017 2019 (pre-pandemic period) analyzed. Bacterial agents isolated from tracheal aspirate samples 1408 groups determined. Pathogenic microorganism growth was detected 430 (63.3%) ICUs. ICUs, agents, frequency; Acinetobacter baumannii (39.6%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (35.5%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.5%) isolated. A. K. isolation significantly higher compared non-COVID-19 similarly period 1 + Group pre-epidemic (p<0.001). Other remarkable findings presence strains period, pre-pandemic observation vast majority isolates. prevent increased risk associated concomitant ICUs due COVID-19; It is important evaluate quickly terms infections, take timely appropriate treatment necessary measures.