Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an important source of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Many interventions are touted to prevent VAP but studies supporting these interventions are difficult to interpret owing to an exceedingly poor correlation between clinical diagnosis of VAP and the presence of an invasive pneumonia. There is consequently a risk that purported decr...

It is interesting to observe how advances in research, as well as unmet medical needs, change attitudes and decisions in clinical practice. The expansion of use of intravenous colistin for the treatment of patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacterial infections is certainly such an example. Even a few years ago there were many opponents to the use of colistin. The medication ...

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) management depends on the interaction between the infective agent, the host response, and the antimicrobial drug used. After the pathogen reaches the lungs, two outcomes are possible: either the microorganisms are eliminated by the host immune system, or they overcome the immune system and cause pulmonary infection. When a patient is thought to have VAP, tw...

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the commonest, yet mostly preventable, infection in mechanically ventilated patients. Successful control of ventilatorassociated pneumonia can save hospitalisation cost, and is possible by using a multidisciplinary clinical and administrative approach. The ventilatorassociated pneumonia rate should be expressed as the number of ventilator-associated pneumonia ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Aspiration of secretions containing bacterial pathogens into the lower respiratory tract is the main cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Endotracheal tubes with subglottic secretion drainage can potentially reduce this and, therefore, the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. New evidence on subglottic secretion drainage as a preventive measure for ventilato...

BACKGROUND We assessed prevalence, associated factors and prognosis of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae pneumonia acquired in intensive care unit (ESBL-PE pneumonia) among carriers. Variables associated with nosocomial pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant bacteria (CRB) were also assessed. METHODS A 6-year prospective study (May 2009-March 2015) in the medical...

OBJECTIVE In this study, we describe the chest computed tomography findings of influenza virus-associated pneumonia in adult patients. METHODS Our retrospective study included 12 adult patients who had proven influenza virus-associated pneumonia. RESULTS Out of 12 patients, six were diagnosed as having pure influenza virus pneumonia, five as having bronchopneumonia caused by bacteria associ...

Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) represents a risk factor for the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), which develops at least 48h after admission in patients ventilated through tracheostomy or endotracheal intubation. VAP is the most frequent intensive-care-unit (ICU)-acquired infection among patients receiving IMV. It contributes to an increase in hospital mortality, dur...

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most frequent intensive-care-unit (ICU)-acquired infection, with an incidence ranging from 6 to 52% [1,2,3,4]. Several studies have shown that critically ill patients are at high risk for getting such nosocomial infections [3,4]. VAP continues to be a major cause of morbidity, mortality and increased financial burden in ICUs [5,6,7,8]. Over the years...

EVIDENCE DEFINITIONS • Class I: Prospective randomized controlled trial. • Class II: Prospective clinical study or retrospective analysis of reliable data. Includes observational, cohort, prevalence, or case control studies. • Class III: Retrospective study. Includes database or registry reviews, large series of case reports, expert opinion. • Technology assessment: A technology study which doe...