title: Ventilator-associated pneumonia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a type of nosocomial pneumonia that occurs in patients who receive mechanical ventilation (MV). According to the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC), the overall rate of VAP is 13.6 per 1,000 ventilator days. The incidence varies according to the patient group and hospital setting. The incidence of VAP ranges from 13-51 per 1,000 ventilation days. Early diagnosis of VAP with appropriate antibiotic therapy can reduce the emergence of resistant organisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the incidence, risk factors, aetiology, pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of VAP. A literature search for VAP was done through the PUBMED/MEDLINE database. This review outlines VAP's risk factors, diagnostic methods, associated organisms, and treatment modalities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VAP is a common nosocomial infection associated with ventilated patients. The mortality associated with VAP is high. The organisms associated with VAP and their resistance pattern varies depending on the patient group and hospital setting. The diagnostic methods available for VAP are not universal; however, a proper infection control policy with appropriate antibiotic usage can reduce the mortality rate among ventilated patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Mv Pravin
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Arunava
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kali
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Joshy M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Easow
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Noyal Maria
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ravishankar
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Srirangaraj
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Srinivasan
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Shailesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Sivaraman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Umadevi
keywords: Ventilator-associated pneumonia; clinical pulmonary infection score; mechanical ventilation