Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
Risk factors for treatment failure in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia receiving appropriate antibiotic
Gul Gursel1, Muge Aydogdu, Ezgi Ozyilmaz
1Department of Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, Gazi University School of Medicine, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey. ggursel@gazi.edu.tr
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate modifiable risk factors and predictors for treatment failure (TF) in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Materials And Methods:
An observational cohort study performed in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a University hospital. Eighty-nine patients with VAP were enrolled in the study consecutively. Treatment failure was defined as lack of clinical and microbiological response to therapy within 2 weeks. Potential risk factors for TF, related with patients, microorganisms, and ICU therapies, were evaluated.
Results:
Mean age was 72 +/- 13 years. Fifty-three of the patients had TF. Patients with TF were older, had more comorbidities, higher admission and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Score (APACHE II)-VAP scores, lower daily carbohydrate intake, and lymphocyte number below 1000/mm(3) than the treatment success group. Transfusions, bacteremia, infection with multidrug-resistant microorganisms, initial bacterial load (CFU/mL), and steroid therapy were similar across the groups. Comorbidity (odds ratio [OR], 4.4; 95% CI, 1.2-16.8; P = .030), VAP-APACHE II scores above 16 (OR, 6.4; 95% CI, 2.1-18.6; P = .001), daily carbohydrate intake below 190 g/d (OR, 3; 95% CI,1.1-8.6; P = .038), lymphocyte number below 1000/mm3 (OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.3-12.9; P = .014) were independent predictors for TF.
Conclusions:
Patients with comorbidities, who are severely ill and lymphocytopenic at the time of VAP diagnosis, are at high risk for TF.
Insights
Patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) who have comorbidities, are severely ill, and have low lymphocyte counts face a higher risk of treatment failure. Identifying these factors is crucial for improving VAP outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units (ICUs).
- Identifying predictors of treatment failure (TF) is essential for optimizing patient management and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate modifiable risk factors and predictors for treatment failure (TF) in patients with VAP receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy.
- To identify patient, microbial, and ICU therapy-related factors associated with VAP treatment failure.
Main Methods:
- An observational cohort study was conducted in a university hospital ICU.
- Eighty-nine patients diagnosed with VAP were consecutively enrolled.
- Treatment failure was defined as a lack of clinical and microbiological response within two weeks of therapy.
Main Results:
- Fifty-three out of eighty-nine patients experienced treatment failure.
- Independent predictors for TF included comorbidities (OR, 4.4), VAP-APACHE II scores >16 (OR, 6.4), low daily carbohydrate intake <190 g/d (OR, 3), and lymphocytopenia <1000/mm³ (OR, 4.1).
- Patients with TF were older, had more comorbidities, higher APACHE II scores, and lower carbohydrate intake and lymphocyte counts.
Conclusions:
- Severely ill patients with VAP, characterized by comorbidities and lymphocytopenia, are at a significantly higher risk for treatment failure.
- These findings highlight the importance of early identification and management of these risk factors to improve VAP treatment success.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.