Antibiotic resistance in nosocomial respiratory infections

Clin Lab Med. 2014 Jun;34(2):257-70. doi: 10.1016/j.cll.2014.02.004. Epub 2014 Apr 13.

Abstract

Nosocomial respiratory infections are the most common acquired infections in patients with severe underlying conditions and are responsible for high morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens are associated with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). This article describes the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of HAP and VAP associated with antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens.

Keywords: Health care–associated infections; Hospital-acquired pneumonia; Multidrug resistant pathogens; Nosocomial; Ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Cross Infection* / diagnosis
  • Cross Infection* / drug therapy
  • Cross Infection* / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection* / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Humans
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial* / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial* / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial* / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial* / microbiology
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated* / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated* / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated* / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated* / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents