Superinfections in Pseudomonas aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Background: Data on superinfections in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia vary, but different pathogens are typically studied as a single category. We studied the incidence of superinfections and the outcomes of patients with superinfections in Pseudomonas aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Methods: Sixty patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia were initially treated appropriately.

De-escalation therapy rates are significantly higher by bronchoalveolar lavage than by tracheal aspirate.

Objective: To assess outcomes with de-escalation therapy in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Multidisciplinary intensive care unit.

Both early-onset and late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia are caused mainly by potentially multiresistant bacteria.

Objective: To compare the causative pathogens of early-onset and late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage quantitative cultures. Most previous reports have been based on endotracheal aspirate cultures and gave uncertain findings.

Design: Prospective evaluation of consecutive patients with clinical suspicion for VAP.