Secondary Bacterial Infection in Patients with COVID 19 Infections Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ahmedabad

Introduction: The COVID-19 disease caused by SARS COV -2 is highly contagious. Many bacterial infections were found among patients with COVID 19 infection. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of secondary bacterial infections in patients infected with COVID 19 infection attending a tertiary care hospital. Methods: Various samples were collected from COVID 19 positive patients showing signs and symptoms of bacterial infection and were subjected to culture examination. Results: In the present study, 47 (6.48%) out of total 725 COVID positive patients were positive for secondary bacterial infections. Klebseilla species followed by Escherichia coli were the most commonly isolated organisms. Pneumonia followed by Urinary tract infection were the most commonly encountered infections in our study. Conclusion: Prevalence of secondary bacterial infections in patients with COVID-19 infection attending our hospital is low. Majority of secondary bacterial infections were seen among admitted patients attributable to longer hospital stays, use of steroid and invasive procedures in such patients.