ABSTRACT
Background: The unprecedented outbreak of a contagious respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has led to a pandemic since December 2019, claiming millions of lives. Aims and Objectives: The present study was undertaken to estimate the various risk factors associated with COVID, to study the common presenting symptoms and prognosis, and to estimate the degree of association between computed tomography (CT) value in reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with mode of disease transmission in north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study comprising of 1462 COVID-positive individuals. It is based on structured questionnaire on demographic, socioeconomic and symptoms, and correlation of clinical pattern with CT value in RT-PCR and further prognosis. Results: Diabetes (6.7%), hypertension (7.5%), and bronchial asthma (8.6%) are the main comorbid conditions. Middle (44.6%) and low socioeconomic status (47.3%) are more susceptible. Male gender (63.5%) is more affected, especially 16-30 years age group (32.4%). Vaccination offers considerable protection from infection. Contact (59.4%) with known case and travel (31%) are main factors that determine disease transmission. Blood group may not play a role in COVID susceptibility. Health careworkers (22.9%) and students (16.2%) are mostly affected. Conclusion: Bronchial asthma, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are the predominant risk factors associated with COVID. Transmission of the disease is more by virtue of contact with the infected person than by travel.
ABSTRACT
Background : Viral respiratory infections increase the risk of secondary bacterial infections owing to their need for hospitalisation, prolonged stay, the practice of Empiric Antimicrobial Prescription. This leads to worrisome Antimicrobial Resistance and such infections have a worse outcome. Materials and Methods :This is a cross-sectional study conducted on patients admitted with COVID-19 at GEMS and Hospital from April, 2021 to June, 2021. The bacteriological profile and susceptibility pattern of the isolates obtained while investigating secondary infections in COVID-19 patients were studied. Results : 132 positive growth samples were collected from ICU and various Wards. Maximum positive growth was found in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) 36 (27.2%), followed by Surgery ward 27 (20.5%) and Medicine Ward 27 (20.5%). Escherichia coli was most commonly isolated 59 (44.7%) followed by Klebsiella pneumonia 28 (21.2%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 17 (12.8%). Out of 90 Gram-negative isolates, 25 (27.8%) were found to be Multi-drug Resistants and out of 11 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 5 (45.5%) were MRSA. Conclusion : This study concludes that poor infection control and irrational antibiotic prescription practices play a major role in the development of secondary infections in these patients. Standard practices need to be followed and there should be an implementation of infection prevention control measures and Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP) must reappraise the current situation.