ABSTRACT. In this study, we described the proportion of COVID-19 patients started on antibiotics empirically and the work-ups performed to diagnose bacterial superinfection. We used a retrospective cohort study design involving medical records of symptomatic, hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were admitted to these centers. A total of 481 patients were included, with a median age of 41.0 years (interquartile range, 28-58.5 years). A total of 72.1% ( N = 347) of COVID-19 patients received antibiotics, either before or during admission. This is troublesome because none of the patients’ bacterial culture or inflammatory markers, such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein, were evaluated, and only 73 (15.2%) underwent radiological investigations. Therefore, national COVID-19 guidelines should emphasize the rational use of antibiotics for the treatment of COVID-19, a primarily viral disease. Integrating antimicrobial stewardship into the COVID-19 response and expanding microbiological capacities in low-income countries are indispensable. Otherwise, we risk one pandemic aggravating another.
【초록키워드】 COVID-19, Treatment, pandemic, inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein, risk, Antibiotics, bacterial superinfection, Culture, symptomatic, Patient, viral disease, Admission, diagnose, Bacterial, hospitalized COVID-19 patient, COVID-19 patient, medical record, retrospective cohort study, interquartile range, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, median age, National, country, radiological, described, performed, proportion, evaluated, COVID-19 guideline, use of antibiotics, 【제목키워드】 insult, Adding,