Early Corticosteroid Therapy May Increase Ventilator-Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put significant pressure on hospitals and in particular on intensive care units (ICU). Some patients develop acute hypoxemic respiratory failure with profound hypoxia, which likely requires invasive mechanical ventilation during prolonged periods. Corticosteroids have become a cornerstone therapy for patients with severe COVID-19, though only little data are available regarding their potential harms and benefits, especially concerning the risk of a ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infection (VA-LRTI).