Empirical antibiotic therapy improves outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19: An emulated targeted trial within a prospective, multicentre cohort study.

Background: Bacterial pulmonary superinfections develop in a substantial proportion of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients and are associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation requirements and increased mortality. Albeit recommended, evidence supporting the use of empirical antibiotics at intubation is weak and of low quality. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of empirical antibiotics, administered within 24 h of endotracheal intubation, on superinfections, duration of mechanical ventilation, and mortality in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19.

Association between driving pressure, systemic inflammation and non-pulmonary organ dysfunction in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, a prospective pathophysiological study.

Background: Driving pressure is thought to determine the effect of low tidal ventilation on survival in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. The leading cause of mortality in these patients is non-pulmonary multiorgan dysfunction, which is believed to worsen due to the biological response to mechanical ventilation (biotrauma). Therefore, we aimed to analyze the association between driving pressure, biotrauma, and non-pulmonary multiorgan dysfunction.

The synergistic effect between phages and Ceftolozane/Tazobactam in endotracheal tube biofilm.

Although an increased effectiveness has been suggested when phages and antibiotics are combined, this approach has not been tested against a mature biofilm on an endotracheal tube (ETT) surface. This study evaluated the effect of short- and long-term combined phage-antibiotic therapy in a control of a mature biofilm on an ETT surface. strains, including susceptible and resistant clinical samples, were used to develop the ETT biofilm.

Impact of Empirical Treatment Recommendations From 2017 European Guidelines for Nosocomial Pneumonia.

Background: The management of nosocomial pneumonia represents a major challenge in the ICU. European guidelines from 2017 proposed an algorithm for the prescription of empirical antimicrobial treatment based on medical history, local ecology, and severity (ie, presence or absence of septic shock). We assessed this algorithm's usefulness by comparing outcomes with and without guideline adherence in a population at high risk of multiresistance and mortality.