Secondary bacterial and fungal infections are associated with respiratory viral infections and invasive mechanical ventilation. In Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), lung injury by SARS-CoV-2 and impaired immune response can provide a favorable environment for microorganism growth and colonization in hospitalized individuals. Recent studies suggest that secondary bacterial pneumonia is a risk factor associated with COVID-19. In Brazil, knowledge about microbiota present in COVID-19 patients is incipient. This work describes the microbiota of 21 COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units from two Brazilian centers. We identified respiratory, nosocomial and bacterial pathogens as prevalent microorganisms. Other bacterial opportunistic and commensal species are also represented. Virulence factors of these pathogenic species, metabolic pathways used to evade and modulate immunological processes and the interconnection between bacterial presence and virulence in COVID-19 progression are discussed.

中文翻译：

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巴西重症监护病房的患者中细菌病原体的流行及其在COVID-19严重性中的潜在作用

继发性细菌和真菌感染与呼吸道病毒感染和有创机械通气有关。在2019年冠状病毒疾病（COVID-19）中，SARS-CoV-2引起的肺损伤和免疫反应受损可为住院患者的微生物生长和定植提供有利的环境。最近的研究表明，继发性细菌性肺炎是与COVID-19相关的危险因素。在巴西，对COVID-19患者中存在的微生物群的知识尚处于起步阶段。这项工作描述了来自两个巴西中心的重症监护病房的21名COVID-19患者的微生物群。我们确定了呼吸，医院和细菌性病原体为流行微生物。其他细菌机会性和共生物种也有代表。这些致病菌的毒力因子，