Does COVID-19 Increase the Risk of Central-Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections?

Objectives: All over the world, there has been a rapid and significant increase in the number of critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation, which was over the capacity of the intensive care units (ICU). This resulted in an increased risk of healthcare-associated infections. The most significant increase was in central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). Our study aimed to determine the effect of COVID-19 infection on CLABSI rates in patients in the COVID-ICU and the factors affecting it. Methods: Adult patients hospitalized in the ICU between January 01, 2021, and December 31, 2021, and diagnosed with CLABSI were evaluated retrospectively. Only the first infection data of patients diagnosed with more than one CLABSI during hospitalization were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups COVID-ICU and general ICU patients and were compared in terms of infection rate, risk factors, and agent distributions. Results: Twenty-two patients in the COVID-ICU and 32 patients in the general ICUs were diagnosed with CLABSI, and the infection rates were 2.05 and 1.03, respectively. The patients in the COVID-ICU had a shorter length of stay in the ICU and a significantly shorter time from ICU admission to CLABSI diagnosis. There was no difference in mortality between the two groups. Infections caused by Gram-negative microorganisms developed most frequently in both groups, and Acinetobacter baumannii was the most frequent among them. Conclusion: CLABSI is seen more frequently and earlier in patients followed in the COVID-ICU. According to our study, this situation did not significantly affect mortality. To prevent CLABSI in COVID-ICUs and improve health care quality, additional management strategies must be determined, and close data monitoring is needed. Keywords: bloodstream infection, intensive care unit, COVID-19, central venous catheter, etiologic microorganisms