TITLE:
Bloodstream Infections in Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to Intensive Care Units in Europe: A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis
AUTHORS:
António Martins, David Reid
KEYWORDS:
Bloodstream Infections, COVID-19, Intensive Care Unit
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.16 No.3,
September
30,
2026
ABSTRACT: Patients with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) have an increased risk of bloodstream infections (BSI), compared to patients without COVID-19. To date, no literature review and meta-analysis of the incidence rate of BSI in these patients is available. A literature review was performed based on a systematic search from January 2020 to December 2023. Eligible studies had to address the incidence rate of BSI in adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to ICU within Europe. Data on incidence and mortality rates was collected. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled incidence rate. Twelve studies met eligibility criteria. The incidence rate of BSI in patients with COVID-19 admitted to ICU varied between 6.4 and 92/1000 patient-days with a mortality rate between 25% and 54%. The pooled incidence rate was 29.5/1000 patient-days (95% CI 12.1 - 71.6) with substantial heterogeneity observed. Compared to non-COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU during the pandemic, the incidence rate of BSI was higher. According to this literature review and meta-analysis, the incidence rate of BSI in patients with COVID-19 admitted to ICU is two-fold higher. Clinical teams taking care of these patients should adapt BSI prevention protocols and antimicrobial treatments.