Spectrum of Bacterial Co-Infections of the Lower Respiratory Tract in COVID 19 Patients Admitted to the ICU of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the burden of bacterial co-infections in patients with COVID-19 and ensure judicious use antibiotics.
 Study Design: Hospital based, cross sectional study.
 Place Duration Study: Postgraduate department Microbiology, Government Medical College, Srinagar, associated hospitals, between July 2020 February 2021.
 Methodology: A total 70 diagnosed by RT PCR nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal samples were included study. Lower respiratory specimen like endotracheal aspirate (ETA), sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from admitted ICU collected as per standard protocol subjected quantitative cultures laboratory. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out line CLSI recommendations.
 Results: Of lower tract specimens (Endotracheal n=53, sputum n=15, Bronchoalveolar n=02) taken RT-PCR confirmed patients, 51 (72.9%) showed microbiological evidence infection culture positivity. 28/51 (55%) males 23/51 (45%) females, mean age 54 years (range= 16-85 years). Majority organisms recovered (n=51, 83%) Gram-negative bacilli, among which Acinetobacter spp. (n=27, 53%) followed Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=06, 12%) most common. Among Gram positive organisms, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus Enterococcus sp commonly isolated.
 Conclusion: It is evident our study that superinfection due baumannii serious concern. Timely treatment these infections pivotal decrease morbidity mortality rates COVID-19-infected patients.