Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common infection, developed in intensive care units (ICU). Early diagnosis and appropriate selection of antimicrobial therapy is important to reduce the mortality rate of these patients. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was obtained from 27 patients, who fulfilled the criteria for ventilator-associated pneumonia. Samples underwent cytological and bacteriological analysis. Pathogens identified from culture of BAL and related antibiotic susceptibility was determined. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was determined in 39.70% of patients in the ICU. Out of enrolled patients, 92.59% had a polymicrobial infection. The most common form of poly microbial infection was with two different bacterial species which were isolated in 81.48% of patients. These isolates revealed a prominent susceptibility to Imipenem, Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin and Ceftazidime. According to the increasing rate of polymicrobial infections and bacterial drug resistance pattern, monotherapy in the treatment of VAP should be avoided. Based on our study, combination therapy with Imipenem or Ceftazidime accompanied by Amikacin or Ciprofloxacin can be recommended.

Key words: Ventilator-associated pneumonia, polymicrobial, infection, bacterial-resistance, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).