[Prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia in an intensive care unit].

Important pathogenic mechanisms in ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) are pharyngeal colonization, micro-aspiration, and exogenously acquired pathogens. Semirecumbent positioning, subglottic suctioning, non-invasive ventilation, oropharyngeal application of chlorhexidine or antibiotics, and selective digestive decontamination (SDD) have all been shown to lower the incidence of VAP. However, regular use of SDD is not recommended in recent guidelines due to the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

[Epidemic increase in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Copenhagen].

Introduction: We have found an epidemic increase in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Copenhagen. The increase has a complex background and involves hospitals, nursing homes and persons nursed in their own home.

Material And Methods: We found 33 MRSA patients in 2003 and 121 in 2004.