Prevalence of Bacterial Coinfection and Patterns of Antibiotics Prescribing in Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic review and Meta-Analysis

50 51 Background: Evidence around prevalence of bacterial coinfection and pattern of antibiotic 52 use in COVID-19 is controversial although high prevalence rates of bacterial coinfection 53 have been reported in previous similar global viral respiratory pandemics. Early data on the 54 prevalence of antibiotic prescribing in COVID-19 indicates conflicting low and high 55 prevalence of antibiotic prescribing which challenges antimicrobial stewardship programmes 56 and increases risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 57 Aim: To determine current prevalence of bacterial coinfection and antibiotic prescribing in 58 COVID-19 patients 59 Data Source: OVID MEDLINE, OVID EMBASE, Cochrane and MedRxiv between January 6