Bacterial complications in patients with coronavirus infection, new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities.

Abstract

We present the case of a young patient who developed pneumonia during the COVID-19 outbreak. The course of the disease with involvement of interstitial lung tissue atypical for bacterial infections, the picture of infection markers could indicate SARS-CoV-2. The patient was tested by PCR method on admission with negative results. Due to the atypical follow-up of the disease, suggesting a severe course of SARS, PCR testing of the material collected by BAL was performed BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Pneumonia plus Panel (bioMérieux). Legionella pneumophilla and coronavirus genetic materials were found. We conclude that in the described case there was a bacterial co-infection, paved by virus infection. The similar radiological picture of the two cases of pneumonia, as well as the similar infectious response in the blood, specific for atypical infections, may pose a problem in the differential diagnosis. The study was able to confirm the bacterial etiology of pneumonia and introduce targeted treatment. The patient was discharged from the hospital. We believe that in any case of pneumonia of non-bacterial etiology, extending the diagnosis with a PCR pulmonary panel allows early and effective treatment of patients. In the treatment of patients with pulmonary interstitial lesions in the course of virus infections, one should always keep in mind the possibility of atypical co-infections.