Secondary infections modify the overall course of hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A retrospective study from a network of hospitals across North India

IntroductionSARS-CoV-2 infection increases the risk of secondary bacterial and fungal infections and contributes to adverse outcomes. The present study was undertaken to get better insights into the extent of secondary bacterial and fungal infections in Indian hospitalized patients and to assess how these alter the course of COVID-19 so that the control measures can be suggested. MethodsThis is a retrospective, multicentre study where data of all RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients was accessed from Electronic Health Records (EHR) of a network of 10 hospitals across 5 North Indian states, admitted during the period from March 2020 to July 2021.The data included demographic profile of patients, clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, treatment modalities, and outcome in those with secondary infections (SIs) and those without SIs. Spectrum of SIS was also studied in detail. ResultsOf 19852 RT-PCR positive SARS-CO2 patients admitted during the study period, 1940 (9.8%) patients developed SIs. Patients with SIs were 8 years older on average (median age 62.6 years versus 54.3 years; P<0.001) than those without SIs. The risk of SIs was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with age, severity of disease at admission, diabetes, ICU admission, and ventilator use. The most common site of infection was urinary tract infection (UTI) (41.7%), followed by blood stream infection (BSI) (30.8%), sputum/BAL/ET fluid (24.8%), and the least was pus/wound discharge (2.6%). As many as 13.4% had infections with more than organism and 34.1% patients had positive cultures from more than one site. Gram negative bacilli (GNB) were the commonest organisms (63.2%), followed by Gram positive cocci (GPC) (19.6%) and fungus (17.3%). Most of the patients with SIs were on multiple antimicrobials - the most commonly used were the BL-BLI for GNBs (76.9%) followed by carbapenems (57.7%), cephalosporins (53.9%) and antibiotics carbapenem resistant entreobacteriace (47.1%). The usage of emperical antibiotics for GPCs was in 58.9% and of antifungals in 56.9% of cases, and substantially more than the results obtained by culture. The average stay in hospital for patients with SIs was twice than those without SIs (median 13 days versus 7 days). The overall mortality in the group with SIs (40.3%) was more than 8 times of that in those without SIs (4.6%). Only 1.2% of SI patients with mild COVID-19 at presentation died, while 17.5% of those with moderate disease and 58.5% of those with severe COVID-19 died (P< 0.001). The mortality was highest in those with BSI (49.8%), closely followed by those with HAP (47.9%), and then UTI and SSTI (29.4% each). The mortality rate where only one microorganism was identified was 37.8% and rose to 56.3% in those with more than one microorganism. The mortality in cases with only one site of infection was 28.8%, which steeply rose to 62.5% in cases with multiple sites of infection. The mortality in diabetic patients with SIs was 45.2% while in non-diabetics it was 34.3% (p < 0.001). ConclusionsSecondary bacterial and fungal infections can complicate the course of almost 10% of COVID-19 hospitalised patients. These patients tend to not only have a much longer stay in hospital, but also a higher requirement for oxygen and ICU care. The mortality in this group rises steeply by as much as 8 times. The group most vulnerable to this complication are those with more severe COVID-19 illness, elderly, and diabetic patients. Varying results in different studies suggest that a region or country specific guideline be developed for appropriate use of antibiotics and antifungals to prevent their overuse in such cases. Judicious empiric use of combination antimicrobials in this set of vulnerable COVID-19 patients can save lives.

Prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus and its correlation with coronary artery disease and its risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is one of the macrovascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Unlike other complications, it has received little attention in the Indian medical literature. There is significant difference in the reported prevalence of PAD and its associated risk factors between Indian and Western studies. In order to assess PAD in diabetics, its associated risk factors and its relationship with coronary artery disease, we conducted a hospital-based, cross-sectional study. METHODS: Consecutive patients on regular follow up in our diabetes clinic were included. In addition to a detailed history and physical examination, anthropometric parameters like body mass index, waist circumference and waist hip ratio were measured. Relevant laboratory investigations were performed. Modified Rose questionnaire and Minnesota codes were used to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD). Colour Doppler examination of the arteries of the lower limbs was performed. Arteries were evaluated both longitudinally and transversely. Individual ABI was obtained for each leg by dividing corresponding ankle pressure by the brachial pressure. The lower of the values obtained for the two legs was taken as the true ABI. A cut off of < 0.9 was used to define peripheral arterial disease. Predictors of PAD were assessed using univariate tests of significance. Binary logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of CAD. RESULTS: We studied 146 patients (79 men and 67 women; mean age 59.4 +/- 7.2 years; mean duration of diabetes 8.8 +/- 3.8 years). The prevalence of PAD was 14.4% with women having a slightly higher prevalence (14.9%), as compared to men (13.9%) (p=0.864). CAD was present in 28%. Age, duration of diabetes, smoking, systolic and diastolic blood pressures and an HbA1c >7% were significant predictors of PAD. We did not find a correlation between measures of obesity and PAD. Using binary logistic regression, older age (p=0.01), higher HbA1c levels (p=0.02), microalbuminuria (p=0.03) and deranged lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides) were found to be significant predictors of CAD. CONCLUSION: Using ankle brachial index, we found evidence of PAD in 14.3% of type 2 diabetics. Risk factors significantly associated with PAD were--higher age, longer duration of diabetes, higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, smoking, higher HbA1c levels and CAD. The prevalence of CAD was higher in patients with PAD (52.38% vs. 24% in those without PAD; p=0.007). Thus the presence of PAD should alert the clinician to a high probability of underlying CAD.

Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its correlation with coronary risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by ultrasonography, and to correlate NAFLD with coronary artery disease (CAD) and coronary risk factors in a group of Indian type 2 diabetics. METHODS: Consecutive patients of type 2 diabetes were recruited. History and physical examination were recorded. Laboratory investigations included fasting and 2-hour post-prandial blood glucose, blood urea, serum creatinine, liver function tests, lipid profile, glycated haemoglobin, microalbuminuria, and ultrasonographic measurement of carotid intimal-medial thickness (CIMT). NAFLD was diagnosed on the basis of ultrasound assessment of the liver. RESULTS: The study group (n=124) was divided into a NAFLD group (n=71) and a non-NAFLD group (n=53). The prevalence of NAFLD was 57.2%. CAD was more prevalent in the NAFLD subgroup (60.5%) compared to the non-NAFLD subgroup (45.2%). The NAFLD subgroup had higher prevalence of hypertension, smoking, obesity (measured by BMI), central obesity (measured by waist circumference and waist hip ratio), higher HbAlc, higher triglyceride levels and lower HDL levels, and higher mean CIMT. Using binary logistic regression analysis, it was found that hypertension (p=0.013), LDL cholesterol (p=0.049), microalbuminuria (p=0.034) and NAFLD (p=0.016) were significantly correlated with CAD. CONCLUSION: Among type 2 diabetics, NAFLD clusters with traditional coronary risk factors. It is a surrogate and fairly reliable marker of risk for CAD amongst type 2 diabetic patients. Ultrasonographically detected NAFLD is a simple, cheap, and safely assessable parameter for coronary risk stratification in type 2 diabetics.