Associated Bacterial Coinfections in COVID-19-Positive Patients

• Published in: Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Lithuania), 2023-10, Vol.59 (10), p.1858
• Main Authors: Boia, Eugen Radu, Huț, Alexandru Romulus, Roi, Alexandra, Luca, Ruxandra Elena, Munteanu, Ioana Roxana, Roi, Ciprian Ioan, Riviș, Mircea, Boia, Simina, Duse, Adina Octavia, Vulcănescu, Dan Dumitru, Horhat, Florin George
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Anemia; Bacteria; Bacterial pneumonia; cervical pathology; Comorbidity; Coronary heart disease; COVID-19; Disease; Health aspects; Hepatitis; Hepatitis A; Hospitals; Hyperkalemia; Immunotherapy; Infections; Leukemia; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Microbiota; Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms); Mortality; oral pathogens; Pathogens; Patients; Pharmacy; Pneumonia; Sample size; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Software; Statistical analysis; Viral infections; Viruses
• ISSN: 1648-9144; 1010-660X; 1648-9144
• DOI: 10.3390/medicina59101858

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify specific rhino- and oropharyngeal microbiological pathogens as well as associated comorbidities that favor SARS-CoV-2 infection and corelate them. Materials and Methods: This prospective clinical study enrolled 61 patients (28 COVID-19-positive and 33 controls) who were tested for other comorbidities and co-existence of associated oral pathogenic microbiota. Results: A total of 247 bacterial isolates were identified in the bacterial cultures in both groups. Viral hepatitis type A was more prevalent in the COVID-19-positive group (p = 0.026), as was the presence of oral candidiasis (p = 0.006). In the control group, a moderate direct relationship was observed between the Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and dermatitis, and strong direct relationships were observed between the Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and external otitis, Streptococcus pyogenes and dental alveolitis, and Streptococcus pyogenes and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In the test group, strong direct relationships were observed between Hemophilus influenzae and pulmonary thromboembolism; Staphylococcus aureus and autoimmune thyroiditis; post-viral immunosuppression, chronic coronary syndrome, and hypernatremia; Beta hemolytic streptococcus group C and rheumatoid polyneuropathy; Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and hyperkalemia, hypothyroidism, secondary anemia, and splenomegaly; and active oral candidiasis and SARS-CoV-2 viral pneumonia. The following relationships were strong, but inverse: Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and acute respiratory failure, and active oral candidiasis and SARS-CoV-2 viral bronchopneumonia. Conclusions: Briefly, COVID-19-positive patients have the predisposition to build up associated comorbidities and coinfections, which can be the expression of the immune burden that this virus generates to the host.