Colonization of bacterial and viral respiratory pathogens among healthcare workers in China during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Healthcare settings may amplify transmission of respiratory pathogens, however empirical evidence is lacking. We aimed to describe the spectrum and distribution of respiratory pathogens among healthcare workers in eastern China.

Methods: Healthcare workers were recruited from October 2020 to November 2021 in Jiangsu province. Participants were interviewed regarding demographic and hospital-based protective measures. Thirty-seven common respiratory pathogens were tested using real-time PCR/RT-PCR (Probe qPCR). The role of demographic and hospital-based protective measures on pathogens colonization using multivariable logistic regression models.

Results: Among 316 enrolled healthcare workers, a total of 21 pathogens were detected. In total, 212 (67.1%) healthcare workers had at least one respiratory pathogen; 195 (61.7%) and 70 (22.2%) with a bacterial and viral pathogen. The most commonly detected pathogen was streptococcus pneumoniae (47.5%) followed by Haemophilus influenzae (21.2%). One hundred and five (33.2%) healthcare workers with copathogens had at least two respiratory pathogens. Both bacterial and viral colonization were more common in 2020 compared to 2021. A decreased risk of colonization was seen in participants with infection prevention and control training and suitable hand hygiene.

Conclusions: Colonization of respiratory pathogens in healthcare workers from eastern China was high. Differential risk was impacted only by hospital-based protective measures and not demographic factors.