ABSTRACT
Background: The CDC recommended conducting insistent surveillance for catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) helping in the early identification of patients based on the frequency of catheter use and potential risk. One of the largest problems facing public health is the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: This study aimed to highlight the frequency of CAUTI, and antibiotic susceptibility profile of isolated bacteria recovered from COVID-19 patients and to compare resistance patterns with CAUTI cases during the pre-COVID period. Study design: This study included prospective and retrospective parts and included two ICUs at Zagazig University Hospitals that was transformed into an isolation hospital during Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: Patients included were clinically suspected of having catheter-associated urinary tract infection during two different stages;the pre-COVID period and the COVID-19 second wave. Results: This study was conducted on 479 catheterized hospitalized patients at Zagazig University ICUs (362 inpatients hospitalized pre–COVID-19 period, and 117 inpatients hospitalized during the second COVID-19 wave). The CAUTI rate during the COVID-19 second wave was statistically higher significant than the CAUTI rate during the per-COVID-19 period. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated an increased frequency of CAUTI among catheterized ICU patients during the second COVID-19 pandemic wave. The rates of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, MDR A. baumannii, and ESBL-Pseudomonas aeruginosa were significantly increased. These findings may indicate the increased risk of CAUTI and increased prevalence of isolated MDRO during the COVID-19 second wave. © 2020 The author (s). Published by Zagazig University.