Pre- and post-COVID-19 evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility for healthcare-associated infections in the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital
Gilberto Gambero Gaspar, Lécio Rodrigues Ferreira, Cinara Silva Feliciano, Cláudio Penido Campos Júnior, Fabiana Murad Rossin Molina, Andrea Cristina Soares Vendruscolo, Giovana Marcão Araújo Bradan, Nátali Artal Padovani Lopes, Roberto Martínez, Valdes Roberto Bóllela
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobial resistance has worsened since the onset of COVID-19. METHODS: This study involved patients admitted to the adult intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital. Pre- and post-COVID-19 data were analyzed. The healthcare-related infections (HCRIs) reported between January 2018 and January 2020 and during the pandemic between February and July 2020 were compared. RESULTS: Antimicrobial resistance increased during the pandemic, especially for Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, with a rate increase from 5% to 50% for Polymyxin B. CONCLUSIONS: The susceptibilities of the main pathogens associated with HCRIs in the ICU changed and should be considered in managing severe COVID-19.