What Researchers Did
This retrospective study described the profile of co-occurring or secondary infections in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, comparing those who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) with those who did not.
What They Found
Among 79 COVID-19 patients with co-occurring or secondary infections, 73 cases were in the non-HBOT group and 6 cases were in the HBOT group. Influenza virus was predominant in the non-HBOT group, while Klebsiella pneumoniae, Corynebacterium striatum, and Acinetobacter baumannii were main strains in the HBOT group. Multidrug-resistant organisms were also detected in HBOT-treated patients.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients hospitalized with COVID-19, especially those receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy, may be at risk for various co-occurring or secondary bacterial infections, including multidrug-resistant strains. This highlights the importance of vigilant monitoring and appropriate antimicrobial stewardship in such cases.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted in a single center outside of Canada.
Study Limitations
As a single-center retrospective study, its findings may not be generalizable to all COVID-19 patients and larger, prospective studies are needed.