ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim is to determine the prevalence of bacterial nosocomial infections (NI) and its associated factors in COVID-19 ICU. METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study, from April to August 2020, was carried on patients with respiratory distress following SARS-Cov-2 infection presenting a sign of bacterial infection. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients (33% of hospitalized patients) contracted a NI, their age was 65 years ± 13.90 and sex-ratio M/F was 2.62. All patients had an invasive device: central line (65%), bladder catheter (72%), and mechanical ventilation (76%). The time of NI occurring was 5 to 8 days. Charlson comorbidity index was 4 - 6 in 18 patients (62%). Of the 35 samples taken, 45 bacteria were isolated: multi drug resistant A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa accounted for 24.4%. Of all, 16 deaths were recorded (55, 17%). CONCLUSIONS: NI is common in COVID-19 ICU and can be predicted by risk factors that should be managed.