Analysis of Microbial Profile Shifts in Bloodstream Infections Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic at a Tertiary Care Facility in Iran
By
Sebastiana Silva Sabino
Alexia Máximo Fernandes
Natália Ludendorff Queiroz
Cristiane Silveira de Brito
Lícia Ludendorff Queiroz
Celsa Raquel Villaverde Melgarejo
Paulo P. Gontijo Filho
Rosineide Marques Ribas
September 16, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Analysis of Microbial Profile Shifts in Bloodstream Infections Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic at a Tertiary Care Facility in Iran
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Bloodstream Infections Key Mechanisms Increased antimicrobial resistance and changing pathogen distributions due to COVID-19 pandemic. Target Population Patients with bloodstream infections in intensive care units. Care Setting Tertiary care hospital
Key Highlights
Gram-negative organisms predominated in bloodstream infections. Increased resistance observed in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence increased. Antimicrobial resistance rose notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ongoing surveillance is critical for guiding empirical antibiotic therapy. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Bloodstream infection defined by positive blood culture obtained ≥ 48 h after admission. Management
Empirical antibiotic therapy should consider local resistance patterns. Monitoring & Follow-up
Regular surveillance of antimicrobial resistance trends is essential. Risks
Increased risk of healthcare-associated infections due to empirical antibiotic use. Patient & Prescribing Data
Critically ill patients with COVID-19 and secondary infections.
High rates of antimicrobial use, particularly broad-spectrum β-lactams.
Clinical Best Practices
Implement infection control strategies to mitigate HAIs. Tailor empirical antibiotic therapy based on local resistance data. Conduct regular audits of antimicrobial prescribing practices. Related Resources & Content
