Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32864608›Full record

ArticleJAC-antimicrobial resistance2020

Bacterial pneumonia coinfection and antimicrobial therapy duration in SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection.

Liam Townsend, Gerry Hughes, Colm Kerr, Mary Kelly, Roisin O'Connor, Eileen Sweeney, Catriona Doyle, Ruth O'Riordan, Colm Bergin, Ciaran Bannan

Erratum issuedOpen access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JAC-antimicrobial resistance, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 50 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
50citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
7.6field-weighted citation impact, top 2% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

50 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 72 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
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  4. Observational
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  6. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on antimicrobial resistance of Proteus mirabilis in a Brazilian hospital.Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology] · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Liam TownsendDepartment of Infectious Diseases, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID 0000-0002-7089-0665
Gerry HughesDepartment of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.ORCID 0000-0003-3694-2633
Colm KerrDepartment of Infectious Diseases, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Mary KellyDepartment of Pharmacy, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Roisin O'ConnorDepartment of Pharmacy, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Eileen SweeneyDepartment of Infectious Diseases, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Catriona DoyleDepartment of Infectious Diseases, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Ruth O'RiordanDepartment of Infectious Diseases, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Colm BerginDepartment of Infectious Diseases, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Ciaran BannanDepartment of Infectious Diseases, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
St. James's Hospital · IETrinity College Dublin · IE

Funding

Wellcome Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBacterial respiratory coinfection in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains poorly described. A description of coinfection and antimicrobial usage is needed to guide ongoing antimicrobial stewardship.

objectivesTo assess the rate of empirical antimicrobial treatment in COVID-19 cases, assess the rate and methods of microbiological sampling, assess the rate of bacterial respiratory coinfections and evaluate the factors associated with antimicrobial therapy in this cohort.

methodsInpatients with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR were recruited. Antibiotic prescription, choice and duration were recorded. Taking of microbiological samples (sputum culture, blood culture, urinary antigens) and culture positivity rate was also recorded. Linear regression was performed to determine factors associated with prolonged antimicrobial administration.

resultsA total of 117 patients were recruited; 84 (72%) were prescribed antimicrobial therapy for lower respiratory tract infections. Respiratory pathogens were identified in seven (6%) patients. The median duration of antimicrobial therapy was 7 days. C-reactive protein level, oxygen requirement and positive cultures were associated with prolonged duration of therapy.

conclusionsThe rate of bacterial coinfection in SARS-CoV-2 is low. Despite this, prolonged courses of antimicrobial therapy were prescribed in our cohort. We recommend active antimicrobial stewardship in COVID-19 cases to ensure appropriate antimicrobial prescribing.

Identifiers

PMID32864608
PMCPMC7446659
OpenAlexW4205174604

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.