Nosocomial pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients : Prospective study in intensive care unit of Fez university hospital

Abstract

Background. Nosocomial organisms remain the leading cause of infection in the intensive care units (ICU) in patients on mechanical ventilation (MV). The risk factors involved are poorly described in the literature. Therefore, we conducted this study to determine the risk factors and antimicrobial sensitivity of bacterial species responsible of nosocomial pneumonia in ICU of Fez University Hospital. Patients and Methods. Prospective study was conducted in this unit from February to Jun 2007. For bacteriological analysis, protected distal specimens were used from all mechanically ventilated patients within 48 hr. Clinical and epidemiologic data were collected for all patients and correlated to infection. Results. Statistical analysis showed that 68.8% of the 44 patients included in this study developed pneumonia. Etiology of infection was marked by the presence of two environmental species: acinobacter baumannii (44%) and pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%) with variable antibiotic sensitivity. Conclusions. The study period was considered as epidemic for these two species. Data analysis showed that temperature, abnormal chest-x ray and bronchial expectoration can be used as pneumonia predictor in mechanically ventilated patients in ICU. Risk factors identified in this study were: prophylactic use of antibiotics, duration of ICU admission, environmental factor and patient's status.