Microbial Profile of Pneumonia in Patients with Late Onset Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is pneumonia occurring 48-72 hours or later following endotracheal intubation. It is characterized by the presence of an infiltrate, whether new or progressive, signs of systemic infection (fever, leukocytosis), change in sputum, and detection of an agent. VAP is mainly acquired through either major or micro aspiration of oropharyngeal organisms into the distal bronchi, directly or via reflux from the stomach into the oropharynx. Objectives: This study aimed to measure VAP rates, identify the causative organisms and demonstrate whether an association exists between bacterial pathogens causing late onset VAP and bacteria isolated from gastric aspirate in mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the Respiratory Intensive