The purpose of this study is to evaluate the frequency of viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens detected by molecular methods in sputum samples of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and to evaluate its impact on mortality and unfavorable outcomes (inhospital death or mechanical ventilation). Patients and Methods: The prospective cohort included patients with diagnosis of COVID-19 hospitalized at Hospital Nacional Hipólito Unanue. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from clinical records. Sputum samples were analyzed with the Biofire Filmarray Pneumonia plus ® respiratory panel. Crude and adjusted associations with unfavorable outcomes were evaluated using logistic regression models. Results: Ninety-three patients who were able to collect sputum samples were recruited between September 8 and December 28, 2020. The median age was 61.7 years (IQR 52.3-69-8) and 66 (71%) were male. The most frequent symptoms were dyspnea, cough, fever, and general malaise found in 80 (86%), 76 (82%), 45 (48%), and 34 (37%) patients, respectively. Fifty-three percent of patients had comorbidities. Seventy-six (82%) patients received antibiotics prior to admission and 29 (31%) developed unfavorable outcome. Coinfection was evidenced in 38 (40.86%) cases. The most frequently found bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Haemophilus influenzae and Klebsiella pneumoniae in 11 (11.83%), 10 (10.75%), 10 (10.75%), and 8 (8.6%) cases, respectively. Streptococcus pneumoniae was found in one case (1.08%). We neither identify atypical bacteria nor influenza virus. No association was found between the presence of viral or bacterial microorganisms and development of unfavorable outcomes (OR 1.63; 95% CI 0.45-5.82). Conclusion:A high frequency of respiratory pathogens was detected by molecular methods in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia but were not associated with unfavorable outcomes. No atypical agents or influenza virus were found. The high use antibiotics before admission is a concern. Our data suggest that the use of drug therapy against atypical bacteria and viruses would not be justified in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Objectives To determine the risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19 from a Peruvian national hospital. Methods Retrospective cohort study of medical records of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at Hospital Nacional Hipólito Unanue (HNHU) during the months of April to August 2020. The dependent variable was in-hospital mortality. Independent variables included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, physical examination findings, oxygen saturation (SaO2) at admission, treatment received during hospitalization and laboratory results at admission. A Cox regression model was used to evaluate the crude and adjusted hazard ratios for associated factors. Results We included 1418 patients. Median age was 58 years (IQR 47–68 years) and 944 (66.6%) were male. The median length of hospitalization was 7 (4–13) days, and the mortality rate was 46%. The most frequent comorbidities were type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity. In the adjusted analysis, mortality was associated with age (HR 1.02; 95%CI 1.02–1.03), history of surgery (HR 1.89; 95%CI 1.31–2.74), lower oxygen saturation at admission (HR 4.08; CI95% 2.72–8.05 for SaO2<70% compared to SaO2>94%), the presence of poor general condition (HR 1.81; 95% CI 1.29–2.53), altered state of consciousness (HR 1.58; 95%CI 1.18–2.11) and leukocyte levels (HR 1.01; 95%CI 1.00–1. 02). Treatment with ivermectin (HR 1.44; 95%CI 1.18–1.76) and azithromycin (HR 1.25; 95%CI 1.03–1.52) were associated with higher mortality. Treatment with corticosteroids at low to moderate doses was associated with lower mortality (HR 0.56 95%CI 0. 37–0. 86) in comparison to no steroid use. Conclusion A high mortality was found in our cohort. Low oxygen saturation at admission, age, and the presence of hematological and biochemical alterations were associated with higher mortality. The use of hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin or azithromycin was not useful and was probably associated with unfavorable outcomes. The use of corticosteroids at moderate doses was associated with lower mortality.

Aunque la tromboembolia pulmonar es frecuente en aquellos pacientes con síndrome antifosfolipidico (SAF), la presentación bilateral no es usual, así como la presentación en adultos mayores. Se presenta el caso de un paciente varón, adulto mayor de 72 años con antecedente de purpura trombocitopénica inmune quien fue hospitalizado con el diagnóstico de tromboembolia pulmonar bilateral. Diecisiete días después del ingreso se realizó el diagnostico de SAF primario y tuvo una buena evolución clínica. Se debe considerar SAF primario en aquellos pacientes con eventos vasculares trombóticos en ausencia de condiciones predisponentes.

Se presenta el caso de un varón de 32 años de edad, con historia de dolor abdominal, anemia severa y confusión mental. Se le halló anemia ferropénica, hematomas perirrenales bilateral, microaneurismas de las arterias renales, trombosis venosa cerebral. Los estudios inmunológicos fueron positivos para anticuerpos antinucleares, anti Smith, anticoagulante lúpico, anti B2GP1 y anti cardiolipina, Se le trató con pulsos de metilprednisolona, con buena evolución clínica.