May 27, 2021

Early Bacterial Identification Among Intubated Patients with COVID-19 or Influenza Pneumonia: A European Multicenter Comparative Cohort Study

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

Keywords (Tags): clinical characteristics, other infections

• Bacterial identification within 48 hours after intubation in samples from patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia (n=568) was associated with a 57% increase in risk for 28-day mortality in a multi-center cohort study in Europe. Compared to patients with influenza pneumonia (n=482), bacterial identification after intubation was less frequent in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia (10% vs 34%). However, no significant difference was observed in outcomes related to bacterial identification between the two study groups, suggesting that the impact of co-infection on mortality was similar. Bacterial identification was defined by a positive bacterial culture within 48 hours after intubation in endotracheal aspirates, bronchoalveolar lavage, blood cultures, or a positive pneumococcal or legionella urine antigen test. 

Rouze et al. (May 26, 2021). Early Bacterial Identification Among Intubated Patients with COVID-19 or Influenza Pneumonia: A European Multicenter Comparative Cohort Study. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.202101-0030OC