The distribution of bacterial coinfection identified in sputum culture tests of coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia patients according to the epidemic period
- Author:
Myeong Hoon KIM
1
;
Dong Sun CHOI
;
Jee Hyeon KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
2025;36(6):232-240
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Objective:This study compared the bacterial coinfection rates, identified major pathogens, and analyzed the antibiotic resistance patterns in pneumonia among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients across different pandemic periods (Before Delta, Delta, and Omicron) to inform empirical antibiotic usage.
Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted on COVID-19 pneumonia patients admitted to a secondary general hospital in Seoul from January 2020 to September 2023. The key variables analyzed included the mortality rates according to the admission period, the results from sputum and blood cultures, the incidence of bacterial coinfections, and comorbidities. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, analysis of variance, and logistic regression, were used to evaluate the effects of bacterial coinfections on mortality rates specific to each period.
Results:Of 5,717 patients, bacterial coinfections were confirmed in 9.1%, with the highest rates observed during the Omicron period. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common pathogen identified, and positive sputum and blood cultures were linked to increased mortality. The mortality rates during the Omicron period were significantly higher than those during the Delta period.
Conclusion:The incidence of bacterial coinfections and the prevalence of pathogens varied across pandemic periods. Therefore, antibiotics effective against hospital-acquired pneumonia pathogens should be considered if bacterial coinfections are suspected.
