Provenience of bacterial co- infection for SARS-CoV-2 virus in Iraqi patients

Abstract

The SARS-CoV2 virus outbreak, which is what is causing COVID-19, has had a significant impact on people all over the world. It is noticeable that the emergence of bacterial growth or mutated species of bacteria is also a cause for concern. A substantial amount of literature indicates that the presence of multiple microbial infections in humans is associated with an elevated likelihood of experiencing more severe disease consequences. Limited research has been conducted on the co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 with other pathogens. This study is an examination of 300 patients in Iraq who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the period from February to May 2022 and whose diagnoses were confirmed by laboratory testing. The objective of this research is to elucidate the various types of bacterial strains that co-occur in individuals from the Iraqi population who have contracted SARS-CoV2, with consideration given to their medical condition (severe, acute, or mild), gender, and the presence of the patient. The respiratory tract of the patient was sampled for sputum, which was subsequently cultured on various media. The antibiogram pattern and 16S gene were utilised via RT-PCR for identification purposes. The results of the study indicate that Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most prevalent bacterial strain, accounting for 21.21% of the total isolates. This was followed by Pantoea agglomerans at 16.3% and Staphylococcus aureus at 15.2%. Other bacterial strains identified in the study included Serratia ficaria at 10.9%, Streptococcus thoraltensis at 5.5%, Acinetobacter baumannii at 5.5%, and Staphylococcus cohnii at 5.5%. Additionally, 20% of the total bacterial isolates were unidentified by antibiogram pattern or 16S gene. The aforementioned findings are expected to serve as a valuable point of reference for the purpose of diagnosing and administering clinical treatment to individuals afflicted with COVID-19 in Iraq.