BACKGROUND Anemic syndrome is a frequent problem in intensive care units. The most probable etiology is the suppression of the erythropoietin response due to the direct effects of cytokines, as well as frequent blood sampling. Transfusions are not free of complications, therefore transfusion reactions are estimated to occur in 2% of the total packed red blood cells (pRBCs) transfused. In the pa...

INTRODUCTION Pneumonia is a very common nosocomial infection in intensive care units (ICUs). Many studies have investigated risk factors for the development of infection and its consequences. However, the evaluation in most of theses studies disregards the fact that there are additional competing events, such as discharge or death. METHODS A prospective cohort study was conducted over 18 mont...

Nosocomial pneumonia, especially ventilator-associated pneumonia, is a common infection in ICUs. The main etiologic factors involve colonizing and opportunistic bacteria from the oral cavity. Oral hygiene measures, including the use of oral antiseptic agents, such as chlorhexidine, have proven useful in reducing its incidence. The objective of this article was to review the literature on the im...

We report two cases of severe late-onset nosocomial pneumonia caused by Chlamydophila pneumaniae. The clinical course of the disease in these patients suggests that nosocomial pneumonia caused by this agent can lead to profound respiratory insufficiency and acute respiratory distress syndrome, particularly in patients with significant comorbidities and during the postoperative period. Intraveno...

Cases of hospital acquired pneumonia occurring during the 1st 12 months of Medico-Surgical ICU (Intensive care unit, MSICU) in operation were evaluated retrospectively to determine its incidence, common causative pathogens, outcome and radiological patterns with the new hospital setting providing a unique relatively aseptic environment. Among the 920 admitted patients, 73 episodes of nosocomial...

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and nosocomial pneumonia share aetiological, physiopathological, and diagnostic properties that justify consideration of the relationship between these two diseases. The aetiology of ARDS can be separated into direct and indirect lung injury. In cases with indirect lung injury such as necrotising pancreatitis the cause of the lung injury may not be...

In order to compare the etiology, clinical manifestations, and prognosis of patients acquiring nosocomial pneumonia, we studied and compared sixty normal hosts who acquired nosocomial pneumonia during Jan 1, 1989-Dec 31, 1991 (group I) with seventy-two immunocompromised patients with nosocomial pneumonia who were admitted during 1984-1992 (group II). Both groups were similar in some patterns, e...

BACKGROUND: An estimated 150,000 to 300,000 cases of nosocomial pneumonia occur each year in US hospitals. The primary risk factor for nosocomial bacterial pneumonia is mechanical ventilation using an endotracheal tube. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) outcomes can be severe with mortality reaching 87%. VAP also extends length of stay by an average of 6 days and can cost >$40,000 per event...