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Early Identification of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Causative Pathogens: Focus on the Value of Gram-stain Examination

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Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2015

Part of the book series: Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2015 ((AUICEM,volume 2015))

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Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common nosocomial infection in critically ill patients, associated with increased morbidity and healthcare costs. Early identification of causative pathogens plays a critical role in the administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy and patient outcomes. In particular, in patients with clinical suspicion of VAP, respiratory samples should be obtained promptly to corroborate the provision of effective antibiotic treatment, while avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use that would promote the development of resistance. In this context, the value of the Gram-stain examination, and its potential impact on adequate empiric antibiotic treatment and major outcomes, is still under debate. In this manuscript, we review the most recent evidence on methods for early identification of VAP causative pathogens, with specific focus on Gram-stain examination of respiratory samples, and we highlight potential methodological limitations and future areas of investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Thorax Institute, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain

    C. Chiurazzi, A. Motos-Galera & A. Torres

Authors
  1. C. Chiurazzi
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  2. A. Motos-Galera
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  3. A. Torres
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Torres .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Université libre de Bruxelles, Dept. of Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Brussels, Belgium

    Jean-Louis Vincent Prof.

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Chiurazzi, C., Motos-Galera, A., Torres, A. (2015). Early Identification of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Causative Pathogens: Focus on the Value of Gram-stain Examination. In: Vincent, JL. (eds) Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2015. Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2015, vol 2015. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13761-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13761-2_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-13760-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-13761-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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