[Respiratory infections in the surgical intensive care unit]

The purpose of the study was to assess microbiological structure and the influence of the predisposing factors on frequency of lower respiratory tract infections. The study group consisted of 72 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit between January and October 1994. We found that 27 pts. (39%) developed respiratory infections. The risk of an infection was much higher in the group with long (over 5 days) stay on ICU, which required artificial ventilation as well as in the group of patients treated due to acute pancreatitis. More than 75% of isolated strains were Gram negative bacteria. Using susceptibility tests we conclude that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia, and Acinetobacter baumanii are highly resistant to antibiotics. The results suggests that 3rd generation cephalosporins and imipenem are most efficient in vitro.