Ventilator-associated pneumonia at a tertiary-care center in a developing country: incidence, microbiology, and susceptibility patterns of isolated microorganisms.
OBJECTIVE
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) complicates the course of up to 24% of intubated patients. Data from the Middle East are scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence, microbiology, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolated microorganisms in VAP in a developing country.


METHODS
Prospective observational cohort study.


METHODS
The American University of Beirut Medical Center, a tertiary-care center that serves as a major referral center for Lebanon and neighboring countries.


METHODS
All patients admitted to the intensive care and respiratory care units from March to September 2001, and who had been receiving mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours, were included in the study. Results of samples submitted for culture were recorded and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of isolated pathogens was performed.


RESULTS
Seventy patients were entered into the study. The incidence of VAP was 47%. Gram-negative bacilli accounted for 83% of all isolates. The most commonly identified organism was Acinetobacter anitratus, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fifty percent of all gram-negative bacterial isolates were classified as antibiotic resistant. Compared with patients without VAP, patients with VAP remained intubated for a longer period and stayed in the intensive care unit longer. VAP was not associated with an increased mortality rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with other studies, the results from this referral center in Lebanon indicate a higher incidence of VAP and a high prevalence of resistant organisms. These data are relevant because they direct the choice of empiric antibiotic therapy for VAP.
Kanafani
Zeina A
ZA
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Kara
Layla
L
Hayek
Shady
S
Kanj
Souha S
SS
D000150:Acinetobacter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D003906:Developing Countries; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007709:Klebsiella / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000382:microbiology*