Device-Associated Infections in COVID-19 Patients: Frequency of Resistant Bacteria, Predictors and Mortality in Medellín, Colombia

Increased antimicrobial use during the COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the spread of resistant bacteria. This study analyzed the frequency of device-associated infections (DAI) caused by resistant bacteria, the predictors of these infections, and 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with and without COVID-19. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on DAI patients admitted to the ICU (intensive care unit) in 20 hospitals in Medellin, Colombia (2020-2021). The exposure assessed was the COVID-19 diagnosis, and outcomes analyzed were resistant bacterial infections and 30-day mortality. Clinical and microbiological information was collected from surveillance databases. Statistical analysis included generalized linear mixed-effects models. Of the 1521 patients included, 1033 (67.9%) were COVID-19-positive and 1665 DAI were presented. Carbapenem-resistant (CRE) infections predominated during the study (n = 98; 9.9%). The patients with COVID-19 had a higher frequency of metallo-beta-lactamase-producing CRE infections (n = 15; 33.3%) compared to patients without the disease (n = 3; 13.0%). Long-stay in the ICU (RR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.39-3.16), diabetes (RR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.21-2.49), and mechanical ventilation (RR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.01-4.51) were CRE infection predictors in COVID-19 patients, with a mortality rate of 60.3%. CRE infections were predominant in COVID-19 patients. In pandemic situations, the strategies to control DAI should be maintained to avoid infections caused by resistant bacteria, such as length of stay in the ICU and duration of mechanical ventilation.