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COVID-19 could trigger "sharp rise" in antimicrobial resistance

The coronavirus pandemic could lead to a “sharp rise” in antimicrobial resistance due to the widespread use of antibiotics in treatment of hospitalised COVID-19 patients, microbiologists from Queen's University Belfast have suggested.

In a new paper published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, the scientists highlight how nearly all severe COVID-19 patients are being treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (NICE guidance on severe pneumonia recommends usage of doxycycline or amoxicillin). They suggest that not only may this approach have limited results, but it could also be associated with higher mortality.

They also warn that potentially fatal bacterial respiratory infections may arise subsequently or coincidentally from hospital stays or from therapies given to treat coronavirus patients.

“Our research suggests that bacterial infection alongside the virus is likely to make the COVID-19 worse, although we don’t yet know the true extent,” said paper co-author Dr Connor Bamford.

“The rise of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria means this situation is harder to treat. It is clear that we will need new drugs that take into consideration both the virus and the bacteria.”

The paper explains how published clinical data to date, as well as post-mortem analysis of tissues from COVID-19 patients, already indicate the presence of bacterial co-infections in COVID-19 patients.

Moreover, the paper outlines how gut microbiota could also be disrupted in severe COVID-19 patients, which may affect disease outcomes, including predisposition to secondary bacterial infections of the lung.

“It is critical that co-infections should not be underestimated and instead be part of the plan to limit the global burden of morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond,” said co-author Prof José Bengoechea.

“We hope that our research exploring the role of bacterial and SARS-CoV-2 co-infections will result in the improved health of COVID-19 patients and possibly even save lives.”


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