Pneumonia in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: series of 17 cases in the region of Murcia

Abstract

Introduction. Currently the prevalence of pneumococcal coinfection in patients with COVID-19 is unknown. In this work we present its clinical characteristics, evolution and treatment. Material and methods. Retrospective data collection from August to October 2020 in two hospitals in the Murcia region. Results. Eighteen patients had COVID-19 diagnosed by PCR and pneumococcal infection confirmed by antigenuria, which represented a prevalence of 2%. A total of 88% had radiological alterations upon admission (two patients had an X-ray within normality) and 29% had elevated procalcitonin. Mortality in our series was 12%. Conclusions. It could be reasonable to consider the start of antimicrobial therapy in those cases in which there is a moderate or high suspicion of bacterial coinfection, being es-sential the early suspension of antibiotic treatment if it is not confirmed.