Bronchoscopy in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: Findings, Microbiological Profile, and Coinfection.

Background: Bronchoscopy is a widely use technique in critically ill patients. Nosocomial coinfections are a cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units.

Methods: Retrospective observational study analyzing the BA samples collected from intubated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in a referral Hospital (Spain).

Results: One hundred fifty-five consecutive BA samples were collected from 75 patients. Ninety (58%) were positive cultures for different microorganisms, 11 (7.1%) were polymicrobial, and 37 (23.7%) contained resistant microorganisms. There was a statistically significant association between increased days of orotracheal intubation and positive BA (18.9 vs. 10.9 d, P0.01), polymicrobial infection (22.11 vs. 13.54, P0.01) and isolation of resistant microorganisms (18.88 vs. 10.94, P0.01). In 88% of the cases a new antibiotic or change in antibiotic treatment was made.

Conclusion: One hundred fifty-five consecutive BA samples were collected from 75 patients. Ninety (58%) were positive cultures for different microorganisms, 11 (7.1%) were polymicrobial, and 37 (23.7%) contained resistant microorganisms. There was a statistically significant association between increased days of orotracheal intubation and positive BA (18.9 vs. 10.9 d, P0.01), polymicrobial infection (22.11 vs. 13.54, P0.01) and isolation of resistant microorganisms (18.88 vs. 10.94, P0.01). In 88% of the cases a new antibiotic or change in antibiotic treatment was made.