BACTERIOLOGICAL STUDY OF VENTILATOR-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common nosocomial infection diagnosed in the intensive care units (ICUs). Microorganisms responsible for ventilator associated pneumonia vary from place to place. VAP requires a rapid diagnosis and initiation of the antibiotic treatment.The present study was carried out to detect bacteria commonly associated with VAP and determine their susceptibility patterns including beta-lactamases production. Out of a total 1438 patients intubated for more than 48 hours, 302 patients (21.0%) were clinically diagnosed as VAP cases. The VAP rate was found to be 2.06 cases per 1000 ventilator days. A. baumannii (38.11%), P. aeruginosa (26.74%), K. pneumoniae (14.85%), S.aureus (11.38%), E. coli (3.96%), C. freundii (1.98%), A. lwoffi (1.98%) and P. mirabilis (0.99%) were isolated. Amongst the gram negative isolates, 15.64% were ESBL, 11.73% were AmpC and 13.96% were MBL producers. Early diagnosis of VAP along with their sensitivity pattern will help as an epidemiological marker for initial prophylaxis and treatment planning for mechanically ventilated patients.