Differences in Clinical Characteristics and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Bacterial Skin Infections Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Author:
Jun Ho KWAK
1
;
Hoon CHOI
;
Chan Ho NA
;
Bong Seok SHIN
;
Min Sung KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2024;62(1):9-17
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Bacterial skin infections are commonly observed in dermatological practice. After the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, individuals have become concerned about personal hygiene. It is expected that infectious diseases will decrease, and there will be differences in the characteristics of isolated microorganisms, including antibiotic susceptibility.
Objective:This study aimed to analyze the differences in the characteristics of bacterial skin infections before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent bacterial culture and susceptibility tests at Chosun University Hospital for the treatment of bacterial skin infections. The period before the COVID-19 pandemic is from January 2018 to December 2019, and the period after the COVID-19 pandemic is from January 2020 to December 2021. We analyzed the antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus in the patients.
Results:Overall, 578 patients were included in this study. The age of the patients increased from 39.9 years before the COVID-19 pandemic to 44.2 years (p=0.03). The number of hospitalized patients decreased from 0.2% before the pandemic to 0.1% after the pandemic (p＜0.001). The most commonly isolated microorganism in both groups was S. aureus, followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci. The methicillin resistance rate of S. aureus increased from 34.8% to 36.4% between 2018 and 2021, although no significant association was found between the pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion:This study showed that although there was no significant difference in the types of bacteria and antibiotic resistance, the age of the patients increased, and the rate of admission decreased.
