Nosocomial pneumonia-epidemiological and microbiological characterization of a pulmonology department

Introduction : Nosocomial Pneumonia(NP) can be classified in Health Care Associated(HCAP),Hospital-Acquired(HAP) and Ventilator-Associated(VAP). Objectives : Characterize the population of patients admitted in a Pulmonology department with the diagnosis of NP and identify the most frequent microorganisms,using a prospective study carried out for 12months. Results: 100patients were included with an average age of 75,08(±12,04),74% were male.The HCAP was the most prevalent(67%),followed by HAP(29%) and VAP(4%)with an average of days of hospitalization of 20,79(±15,15).The length of hospitalization was higher in VAP(27,14).The patients had many co-morbidities associated,with 67% having up to 2.The cardiovascular(49%)and neurological diseases(23%)were the most prevalent.Blood cultures were performed(BC)in 59 patients,with 10% being positive,leading to the identification of Gram+bacteria in 5 cases.The bacteriological examination of sputum(BES) was obtained in 77 patients,but was negative in 44%.Gram + were identified in 18 patients,with the prevalence of MRSA(32%) and in 31 cases,Gram- bacteria were present, A baumannii being the most common(32%).Microbiological analysis of bronchial aspirate was performed in 23 cases,identifying the etiologic agent in 19 cases(positivity rate82,6%).The prevalence of MRSA(52%) and A baumannii (17,4%)was maintained. Conclusions : The patients with the diagnosis of NP are old and mainly male,with a high rate of co-morbidities,leading to a high length of hospitalization(over 20 days).Infection by multiresistant bacteria and Gram- is more prevalent,and the most effective microbiological method for identifying bacteria was BES and culture of bronchial aspirate.