ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets from symptomatic, asymptomatic, or pre-symptomatic individuals. Patients who died from COVID-19 were found to have various bacterial co-infections, complicating their hospitalization and prognosis, according to the studies. More than that, these concomitant infections are known to worsen overall clinical severity by increasing mortality, ICU admissions and the need for aggressive respiratory support including mechanical ventilation, all of which are factors in increased LOS in hospitals. Aim of study: The current study aim to investigate atypical bacteria (Mycoplasma pneumonia, Chlamydia pneumoniae and legionella pneumophila) co -infection of (120) COVID-19 confirmed patients and determined if it’s affected severity of infection. Material and Methods: 120 samples of sputum were obtained from qRT -PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients, DNA extracted using a specific kit, and PCR performed Results: From the 120 qRT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients (65 male and 55 Female) it was found that 6\120(5%) infected with Mycoplasma pneumonia, 4\120(3.3%) infected with Chlamydia pneumonia and 4\120(3.3%) infected with Legionella pneumophila while two patient infected by both Chlamydia pneumonia and Mycoplasma pneumonia and co-infection contribute with severity of infection. Conclusion: Molecular method is more specific and rapid used for detection atypical bacteria (Mycoplasma pneumonia, Chlamydia pneumonia and Legionella pneumophila) causes co-infection in COVID-19 patient. © 2022, ResearchTrentz Academy Publishing Education Services. All rights reserved.