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Updated: Sep 2, 2025
04:32
Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
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Time to Look for Another Infectious Source? White Blood Cell Trends during Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Nicole L Werner1, Alexis Cralley2, Ryan Lawless1
1Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA.
Surgical Infections
|August 5, 2022
Summary
Persistent high white blood cell counts in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) patients may indicate additional infections. Surgical ICU patients with VAP and a secondary infection showed higher white blood cell trends than those with VAP alone.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Infections
Background:
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant ICU complication.
- Persistent leukocytosis in VAP can stem from various causes, including other infections.
- Distinguishing VAP alone from VAP with additional infections is clinically important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare white blood cell (WBC) trends in surgical ICU patients with VAP alone versus those with VAP and an additional infectious source.
- To identify clinical factors associated with VAP and secondary infections.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, single-center study of surgical ICU patients diagnosed with VAP.
- Patients were categorized into VAP-alone and VAP-plus (additional infections) groups.
- WBC counts were compared, and univariable analysis assessed demographic and clinical factors.
Main Results:
- Of 88 VAP cases, 31% had additional infections (VAP-plus).
- VAP-plus patients exhibited higher daily and maximum WBC counts on specific treatment days (days 5-7).
- No significant differences were found in admission type, surgery number, or steroid use between groups.
Conclusions:
- Elevated WBC in VAP patients despite appropriate antibiotics warrants suspicion for concurrent infections.
- Early identification of secondary infection sources is crucial for effective VAP management.
- This finding aids in refining diagnostic and treatment strategies for complex ICU infections.
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