Microbiological profile of ventilator-associated pneumonia among intensive care unit patients in tertiary Egyptian

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Updated: Oct 13, 2026

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

Alaa M Farag1, Mahmoud M Tawfick2, Mostafa Y Abozeed3

  • 1Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. alaa244342@hotmail.com.

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
|March 9, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in ICUs is often caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria like Klebsiella spp. This study found no common infection source, suggesting endogenous origins for K. pneumoniae.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant ICU infection with severe consequences.
  • Antimicrobial resistance and non-specific symptoms complicate VAP diagnosis and treatment.
  • Understanding the microbial landscape of VAP is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify VAP-causing microbes in Egyptian ICUs.
  • To analyze antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.
  • To assess genetic diversity among common VAP pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Endotracheal aspirates from suspected VAP cases were collected over one year.
  • Microbial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (Kirby-Bauer method) were performed.
  • Genotyping of frequently isolated organisms was done using ERIC-PCR.

Main Results:

  • Fifty VAP cases were confirmed, predominantly caused by Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii.
  • Candida spp. were the most common fungi; rare isolates included Cupriavidus pauculus and Aeromonas salmonicida.
  • Forty percent of isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR).
  • No genetic links were found among Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.

Conclusions:

  • Gram-negative bacteria, often multidrug-resistant, are primary VAP agents.
  • Cupriavidus pauculus and Aeromonas salmonicida warrant consideration as VAP pathogens.
  • The lack of common source suggests endogenous K. pneumoniae infections in this ICU cohort.
Keywords:
ERICGenotypingIntensive care unitMultidrug-resistantVentilator-Associated Pneumonia

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