Associated microbiota and treatment of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome complicated with infections

The purpose of this study is to assess the incidence and management of co-infections in hospitalized severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus (SFTSV) patients. We retrospectively evaluated the microbiological database records of the SFTS patients in the first affiliated hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 1, 2018, to December 1, 2021. According to the obtained results, co-infections including pulmonary infection, bloodstream infection, biliary tract infection, urinary tract infection, and abdominal infection were observed in SFTS patients. The incidence rate of fungal infections was found to be high in SFTS patients. Furthermore, we suggest that old age people should be evaluated for the risk of fungal infection. In comparison to the non-infection group, patients in the co-infection group were more likely to get mechanical ventilation, antibacterial treatment, antifungal treatment, and blood product therapy (p < 0.001), with a significantly longer length of stay (p < 0.05). In SFTS patients, the most prevalent strains were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Candida, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli. In this investigation, 66.2% (106/160) of patients were given antibiotics, most often Piperacillin/tazobactam or minocycline. 15.6% (25/160) of patients were treated with antifungal drugs: 13.1% (21/160) with voriconazole. Patients with SFTS Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (SAPA) received active antifungal treatment, but the mortality rate was still 23.5% (8/34). Only 6 of the 11 patients with SFTS Associated Candidiasis were treated with antifungal drugs with no mortality. Due to the high frequency of fungal pulmonary infection in SFTS patients, more standardized fungal detection program should be strengthened.

Automated summary

The study assessed the incidence and management of co-infections in hospitalized SFTS patients and found various types of co-infections, with a high incidence of fungal infections. It suggested evaluating the risk of fungal infection in older patients. Patients in the co-infection group required more intensive treatments and had longer hospital stays compared to the non-infection group.