ABSTRACT
Many COVID-19 studies are about epidemiological and clinical features but information about secondary bacterial infections is limited. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and characteristics of bloodstream infections in COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary care academic health care organization. All blood samples were obtained from patients with COVID-19 admitted were included in the study. Blood cultures were performed using BD BACTEC ™ FX40, and the diagnosis and bacterial identification and antimicrobial sensitivity was performed by manual method. 2200 patients with COVID-19 were hospitalized during a 6-month study period in which 315 blood cultures were performed. Of these, 24 (7.61%) were positive. The median age of patients with positive blood culture was 38 years and included 13 males and 11 females. Seventeen patients (70.83%) needed intensive care in the ICU. Significant correlations with blood culture positivity have been noted with parameters such as admission to the ICU, availability of accommodation, basic illness and adverse clinical outcomes. Bloodstream infections prevalence in COVID-19 patients is low. However, antibiotic prophylaxis needs to be used with caution, and immediate discontinuation should be made based on clinical judgment.