Haemophilus Influenza Coinfection is Common in COVID-19 Patients

Abstract Background: The combined infection rate and bacterial spectrum has not been reported in COVID-19 patients. Methods: Constant temperature amplification reaction and real-time fluorescence analysis was performed for common bacterial respiratory pathogens on sputum samples (spontaneous or induced) from a prospective cohort study of infections. Forty-nine suspected COVID-19 cases from Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital were included in the study, 49.0% were male. Results: Probable bacterial infection was detected in 33 participants. Haemophilus influenzae was the most common bacterial pathogens detected. Conclusions: Multiple coinfections were commonly detected. Sputum multiplex PCR could become a useful diagnostic tool for bacterial respiratory infections in COVID-19 infected inpatients.