The role of gram-negative bacteria in healthcare-associated pneumonia.
Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) is a unique entity that differs from community-acquired pneumonia in both bacteriology and outcomes and has similarities to hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia. HCAP patients are at higher risk of potential multidrug-resistant pathogens, including resistant gram-negative organisms, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa and acinetobacter spp., but also extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). This manuscript reviews the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical outcomes of hospitalized HCAP patients due to gram-negative bacteria. We will focus our attention on the potential multidrug-resistant pathogens to suggest a new treatment approach for these patients.
Restrepo
Marcos I
MI
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Division, San Antonio, Texas 78284, USA. restrepom@uthscsa.edu
Anzueto
Antonio
A
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents