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Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are associated with high mortality and inappropriate or delayed antimicrobial therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of BSIs in hospitalized patients. The research aimed to compare the incidence of BSIs and blood culture results in patients hospitalized before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Retrospective and prospective data were collected from blood cultures obtained from 4289 patients hospitalized between June 2018 and July 2022. Two groups of patients were distinguished: those with BSIs admitted during the pre-COVID-19 period and those admitted during the COVID-19 surge. Demographic and clinical data, blood cytology, and biochemistry results were analyzed, and the usefulness of PCT was assessed in patients with COVID-19. RESULTS: The study showed a significant increase in the incidence of BSIs during the pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. Positive blood cultures were obtained in 20% of patients hospitalized during the pandemic (vs. 16% in the pre-COVID-19 period). The incidence of BSIs increased from 1.13 to 2.05 cases per 1000 patient days during COVID-19, and blood culture contamination was more frequently observed. The mortality rate was higher for patients hospitalized during the COVID-19 pandemic. An increased frequency of MDRO isolation was observed in the COVID-19 period. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of BSIs increased and the mortality rate was higher in the COVID-19 period compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. The study showed limited usefulness of procalcitonin in patients with COVID-19, likely due to the administered immunosuppressive therapy.
Słabisz et al. (Wed,) studied this question.