The characteristics of microbiome in the upper respiratory tract of COVID-19 patients.

Background: Co-infection with other pathogens in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients exacerbates disease severity and impacts patient prognosis. Clarifying the exact pathogens co-infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is premise of the precise treatment for COVID-19 patients.

Methods: Sputum samples were collected from 17 patients in the COVID-19 positive group and 18 patients in the COVID-19 negative group.