Introduction: SARS -CoV-2 was first reported in Wuhan and declared a pandemic in March 2020. Co-infections during other pandemics have been associated with severe outcomes, but data are scarce regarding co-infections in COVID-19 patients. Our study evaluated co-infections prevalence and its impact on morbidity and mortality in hospitalized COVID -19 patients.
Methods: This prospective observational study included 100 patients admitted to a high-dependency unit at a tertiary care hospital in India. Prevalence of co-infections and clinical outcome-related data were analyzed in COVID-19 patients satisfying the inclusion criteria.
Results: 14% of patients had co-infections, out of which urinary tract infection was found in 9%. Patients with co-infections had a higher mortality rate (p<0.0004). Urinary co-infection emerged as an independent risk factor for mortality (p <0.001).
Conclusion: Co-infections associated with COVID-19 infections are an essential risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Early identification and timely treatment of co-infections may help in improving clinical outcomes.
Keywords: co-infections; covid-19; high flow nasal cannulae; non-rebreather mask; urinary tract infections.
Copyright © 2022, Jalandra et al.