Lower respiratory tract sampling in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome: A focus on microbiology, cellular morphology, cytology, and management impact.

Background: Lower respiratory tract (LRT) sampling through bronchoscopy has been done sparingly in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to the high aerosol risk for the health-care workers (HCWs). Valuable information can be gained by a detailed evaluation of bronchoscopic LRT samples.

Methods: LRT samples were obtained by bedside bronchoscopy severe COVID-19 ARDS patients on mechanical ventilation.