Predictors and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to Intensive Care Units in Pakistan and the development of nosocomial fungal infections : findings and implications

Objectives: Patients with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) typically have many complications and co-morbidities, including secondary bacterial and fungal infections, which increase morbidity and mortality. The first step to address this is to measure the prevalence rates, predictors of fungal infections, and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to ICUs in Pakistan. Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of patients admitted with COVID-19 to the ICUs of six tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan between March 2020 and June 2023. Results: A total of 636 patients were included; 68.9% were aged ≥50 years and 62.6% were male. Diabetes mellitus was the commonest co-morbidity (23.7%). A total of 67.8% of patients had severe COVID-19, with 23% critical cases. Antibiotics and antipyretics (all patients) were the most frequently prescribed medicines, along with corticosteroids (72.5%). A total of 63 nosocomial fungal infections developed in 53 patients, with mechanical ventilation and tracheal intubation being significant predictors of secondary fungal infections among patients with COVID-19. The mortality rate was 4.9%, with secondary fungal infections significantly associated with higher mortality. Conclusions: Approximately 8% of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICUs of tertiary developed secondary fungal infections associated with greater mortality. The key factors associated with secondary fungal infections need to be carefully monitored to reduce future mortality in these patients. We will continue to monitor the situation.