ABSTRACT

Nosocomial pneumonia is the most common infection in the intensive care unit and the second most common infection in hospital. Nosocomial pneumonia is the leading cause of death of all in hospital infections. It is defined as newly developed pulmonary infiltrates, mucopurulent sputum, fever and elevated white blood cells during the first 48 to 72 hours of hospital stay. Upper respiratory tract colonization and aspiration is known to be the initial event and entry of bacteria to the lower respiratory tract. It is well understood that the clinical criteria is the corner stone in the diagnosis. Non invasive and invasive diagnostic tools as tracheal aspiration and bronchoscopy help support the diagnosis. It is advisable to choosing empirical treatment in basis to antibiotic selection for each patient should be based on the risk factors for multidrug-resistant pathogens.

KEYWORDS

Gram negative bacilli, multidrug-resistant pathogens, pneumonia associate to the ventilator, nosocomial, intensive care unit.

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