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Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
04:32

Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia

Published on: June 28, 2018

Herpes simplex virus: a marker of severity in bacterial ventilator-associated pneumonia

Emilio Bouza1, Maddalena Giannella, María V Torres

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, 28007 Madrid, Spain.

Journal of Critical Care
|December 7, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) was found in 13.4% of patients with bacterial ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). HSV presence correlated with increased severity, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality in VAP patients.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Virology

Background:

  • Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common intensive care unit infection with significant morbidity and mortality.
  • The role of viruses, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), as pathogens or copathogens in VAP is under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of HSV in lower respiratory tract (LRT) secretions of patients diagnosed with bacterial VAP.
  • To evaluate the clinical significance and impact of HSV coinfection in bacterial VAP.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study conducted over 14 months.
  • Analysis of LRT samples for bacterial culture and viral isolation in adult VAP patients.
  • Comparison of clinical outcomes between VAP patients with and without HSV isolation.

Main Results:

  • Herpes simplex virus (HSV) was detected in 13.4% of 177 patients with confirmed bacterial VAP.
  • Patients with HSV exhibited more severe comorbidities and poorer outcomes.
  • HSV presence was linked to increased antibiotic consumption, higher rates of Clostridium difficile infection, prolonged mechanical ventilation, extended ICU and hospital stays, and greater mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Herpes simplex virus (HSV) shedding in lower respiratory tract (LRT) secretions is a notable finding in bacterial VAP.
  • HSV coinfection in VAP is associated with increased disease severity and a worse patient prognosis.

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