Ventilator-associated pneumonia among SARSCoV-2 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients

• Main Authors: Berra, L. (Author), Fumagalli, J. (Author), Klompas, M. (Author), Panigada, M. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins 2022
• Subjects: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; artificial ventilation; Coronavirus disease 2019; COVID-19; human; Humans; Overdiagnosis; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated; Respiration, Artificial; respiratory distress syndrome; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; SARS CoV-2; SARS-CoV-2; ventilator associated pneumonia; Ventilator-associated pneumonia
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Purpose of review We conducted a systematic literature review to summarize the available evidence regarding the incidence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation because of acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection (C-ARDS). Recent findings Sixteen studies (6484 patients) were identified. Bacterial coinfection was uncommon at baseline (<15%) but a high proportion of patients developed positive bacterial cultures thereafter leading to a VAP diagnosis (range 21–64%, weighted average 50%). Diagnostic criteria varied between studies but most signs of VAP have substantial overlap with the signs of C-ARDS making it difficult to differentiate between bacterial colonization versus superinfection. Most episodes of VAP were associated with Gram-negative bacteria. Occasional cases were also attributed to herpes virus reactivations and pulmonary aspergillosis. Potential factors driving high VAP incidence rates include immunoparalysis, prolonged ventilation, exposure to immunosuppressants, understaffing, lapses in prevention processes, and overdiagnosis. Summary Covid-19 patients who require mechanical ventilation for ARDS have a high risk (>50%) of developing VAP, most commonly because of Gram-negative bacteria. Further work is needed to elucidate the disease-specific risk factors for VAP, strategies for prevention, and how best to differentiate between bacterial colonization versus superinfection. © 2022 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.