Neonatal Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Research Articles

The spectrum of pneumonia among intubated neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit.

We review the pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in neonates. VAP has been studied primarily in adult ICU patients, although there has been more focus on pediatric and neonatal VAP (neo-VAP) in the last decade. The definition as well as diagnosis of VAP in neonates remains a challenge to date. The neonatal intensivist needs to be familiar with the current diagnostic tools and prevention strategies available to treat and reduce VAP to reduce neonatal morbidity and the emergence of antibiotic resistance. This review also highlights preventive strategies and old and emerging treatments available.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit—Incidence and Strategies for Prevention

The second most prevalent healthcare-associated infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). This review aims to update the knowledge regarding the incidence of neonatal VAP and to summarize possible strategies for prevention. The VAP incidence ranges from 1.4 to 7 episodes per 1000 ventilator days in developed countries and from 16.1 to 89 episodes per 1000 ventilator days in developing countries. This nosocomial infection is linked to higher rates of illness, death, and longer hospital stays, which imposes a substantial financial burden on both the healthcare system and families. Due to the complex nature of the pathophysiology of VAP, various approaches for its prevention in the neonatal intensive care unit have been suggested. There are two main categories of preventative measures: those that attempt to reduce infections in general (such as decontamination and hand hygiene) and those that target VAP in particular (such as VAP care bundles, head of bed elevation, and early extubation). Some of the interventions, including practicing good hand hygiene and feeding regimens, are easy to implement and have a significant impact. One of the measures that seems very promising and encompasses a lot of the preventive measures for VAP are the bundles. Some preventive measures still need to be studied.

Assessment of Nurses' Knowledge and Practice Regarding Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia In Neonates

Assessment of Nurses' Knowledge and Practice Regarding Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia In Neonates

Risk factors and clinical outcomes of ventilator associated pneumonia in neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Dr. Soetomo Hospital Surabaya

Link of Video Abstract: https://youtu.be/Si_Vw_cWchk Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a hospital-acquired infection in mechanical ventilation for more than two consecutive days, resulting in increased mortality and treatment costs. This study aimed to analyse the risk factors and clinical outcomes of neonatal with ventilator associated pneumonia in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: A case-control study was conducted on neonates who had mechanical ventilators installed for more than two consecutive days, from January 2020 to December 2021, at Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya. The risk factors studied were duration of stay in the NICU, reintubation, duration of ventilation before VAP, rate of prematurity, low birth weight, enteral feeding, and underlying disease. The clinical outcomes studied were the duration of hospital stay and the total ventilation duration. Results: The study subjects were 135 neonates consisting of 45 cases of VAP and 90 non-VAP. Significant risk factors were duration of NICU stay (p<0.001), duration of ventilation before VAP (p=0.002), and rate of prematurity (p=0.024). Multivariate analysis found no independent risk factors for VAP. Hospital stay duration (p<0.001) and ventilation duration were significantly correlated with the incidence of VAP (p<0.001). Conclusion: Risk factors for neonatal VAP were the duration of NICU stay, duration of ventilation prior to VAP occurrence, and degree of prematurity. The impact of VAP was longer duration of hospitalisation and duration of ventilation.

Impact of Serum Vitamin D Status on the Outcome of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Neonates

Objectives: The aim of this work was to study the status of serum vitamin D level on the outcome of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in neonates.
 Methods: This prospective cohort study was carried out on 60 intubated neonates with gestational age > 32 weeks and ventilated for more than 48 h and included two groups, VAP group (n=30) and non-VAP group (n=30). Serum 25-hydroxy Vit D was tested at the start of mechanical ventilation, while blood culture and endotracheal culture were obtained after 2 days of mechanical ventilation and when VAP was suspected.
 Results: The mean serum level of vitamin D in VAP group was statistically significantly lower than non-VAP group. Also, the total duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of O2 supplementation post extubation and duration of hospital stay were statistically significantly longer in VAP group. Although the mortality was higher in neonates developed VAP, it didn’t achieve a statistically significant difference. A cut off value of ≤17.35 ng/ml of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D showed a sensitivity of 83.33%, specificity of 100% and area under curve (AUC) was 0.895 to predict neonatal VAP.
 Conclusion: 25-hydroxy vitamin D deficiency is an important risk factor for VAP development in neonates, and low vitamin D levels is associated with significant longer duration of mechanical ventilation, post extubation O2 support and hospital stay in neonates with VAP.

The Application of Pulmonary Ultrasound in Neonatal Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

This study explored the application value of lung ultrasound (LUS) in neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia (NVAP). In this study, 122 newborns suspected of NVAP were treated in the NICU of Liaocheng People’s Hospital between July 1, 2020, and July 1, 2021. Of these, 115 were clinically diagnosed with NVAP. The diagnostic value of LUS for NVAP was determined by comparing the different signs of LUS and chest X-ray (CXR). The confirmed cases were divided into the failure and success groups according to the first ventilator weaning test results. The consistency between the results of LUS and CXR and the actual test results was compared between the two groups. Before treatment, the LUS findings of the confirmed cases showed a lung consolidation with air bronchogram sign (111/115), alveolar-interstitial syndrome (113/115), pleural effusion (12/115), pleural line abnormalities (114/115), and lung pulse (15/115). CXR showed 109 cases of pneumonia. Taking the clinical diagnosis of VAP as the gold standard, the lung consolidation with air bronchogram sign on LUS had a higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of NVAP than those of other LUS and CXR findings and showed better consistency with the clinical diagnosis (AUC = 0.983, kappa value = 0.761, p < 0.05). After treatment, the 115 cases were divided into two groups according to the results of the first weaning from ventilation: the failed group (19 cases) and the successful group (96 cases). The lung consolidation with air bronchogram sign was used as the positive diagnostic standard of ultrasound. The sensitivity and specificity of LUS (94.7 and 89.6%, respectively) in evaluating the outcome of weaning from the ventilator of pneumonia were higher than those of CXR (73.7 and 84.4%, respectively). Additionally, the consistency of the LUS findings with the weaning results was higher than that of CXR (AUC = 0.922, kappa value = 0.709, p < 0.05). Therefore, compared with CXR, LUS has a higher value in diagnosing NVAP and can better predict the results of the ventilator off-line test. LUS can replace CXR as the first imaging examination for NVAP.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Neonates Admitted to a Tertiary Care NICU in Bulgaria.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the second most common hospital-acquired infection (HAI) among neonatal patients in the intensive care units (ICUs) and is a serious challenge for neonatologists because it affects critically ill patients who need prolonged mechanical ventilation. In Bulgaria, there is no detailed data at regional and national levels on the characteristics of VAP in newborns, which imposes a necessity for specific studies of risk factors and etiology of VAP. The aim of the study was to analyze the frequency, characteristics and risk factors for the occurrence of VAP in newborns hospitalized in intensive care unit. This was a prospective study, conducted between January 2017 and June 2018 in the NICU of University Hospital “St. George” Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The sample consisted of 507 neonates, followed up prospectively, 107 of whom were placed on mechanical ventilation for ≥48 h. VAP was diagnosed in 33 out of 107 neonates (31%). The VAP incidence rate was 35.06/1.000 ventilator days. We confirmed differences between the median birth weight (1,310 vs. 1,690 g, p = 0.045) and average gestational age (31.08 g.w. vs. 33.08 g.w, p = 0.04) of the patients with and without VAP. The average stay of patients with VAP in the NICU was statistically significantly longer than the hospital stay of non-VAP patients (35.70 ± 21.84 days vs. 21.77 ± 17.27 days (t = 3.241, p = 0.002). In neonates with VAP, the duration of mechanical ventilation was statistically significantly longer compared with non-VAP patients (16.88 ± 11.99 vs. 5.42 ± 4.48; t = 5.249, p = 0.000). A statistically significant prevalence of Gram-negative bacteria among VAP patients was demonstrated (91%) compared to the Gram-positive (9%), p < 0.05. The leading causative agent of VAP was Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBLs + (27%), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (14%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12%) and Escherichia coli (12%). In multivariate logistic regression, mechanical ventilation >7 days was established as an independent risk factor for VAP (OR 3.6; 95% CI: 1.7–6.5, p = 0.003). VAP remains a serious and outstanding issue in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units. The findings of the current study emphasize that the birth weight, gestational age, and duration of hospital stay have a significant association with ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Role of soluble triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells-1 and 25-hydroxy vitamin D as early diagnostic markers of neonatal Ventilator-associated pneumonia: A prospective cohort study.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most common causes of nosocomial pneumonia in ventilated neonates. Nevertheless, its diagnosis is challenging due to the nonspecific clinical parameters and the lack of sensitive biomarkers. The main objective of this study was to compare soluble triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) and 25-hydroxy vitamin D as early predictors of neonatal VAP. This prospective cohort study included 85 ventilated neonates divided into the VAP group (n = 33) and the non-VAP group (n = 52). sTREM-1 levels in the endotracheal aspirate (ETA) and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels were measured on the third and seventh days following mechanical ventilation. The Ethical and Research Committee approved the study at Tanta University Hospitals, Egypt (with the Approval code: 32751/12/18). The sTREM-1 cutoff value of >0.46 and >0.44 ng/ml at 3 and 7 days had a sensitivity of 93.94% and 96.97%, a specificity of 92.31% and 100%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.963 and 0.993, respectively, to predict the development of neonatal VAP. A serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D cutoff value of ≤17.5 ng/ml at 3 and 7 days had a sensitivity of 90.91% and 81.82%, a specificity of 75% and 78.85%, and area under the curve of 0.877 and 0.939, respectively. Both sTREM-1 in ETA and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D could be used as early predictors of neonatal VAP, but sTREM-1 appears more useful.

Endotracheal Aspirate and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Neonates: Revisiting an Age-Old Debate.

To explore the utility of endotracheal aspirates (ETA) for analyzing microbiological yield, incidence, risk factors for VAP, and clinically relevant outcomes. Ventilated neonates suspected to have VAP were studied prospectively; they were classified as "VAP" or "No VAP" based on a predefined combination of clinical, radiological, and laboratory criteria. The microbiological yield from blood and ETA cultures was analyzed. Of 165 neonates who were ventilated for > 48h, 65 were suspected of having VAP. Thirty-six (22.9%) were classified as VAP. Microbiological agents could be identified in 31 cases (86.1%) by ETA/blood cultures. Acinetobacter sp was the common organism identified. Duration of ventilation, and a higher number of reintubations before suspicion of VAP were significant risk factors for VAP. Positive ETA culture was associated with a greater duration of oxygen therapy and ventilation days after suspicion of VAP. The commonest culture yield from ETA in those suspected to have VAP was gram-negative bacilli. Duration of ventilation and reintubations were identified as significant risk factors for VAP. These are potentially modifiable factors. Positive ETA culture was associated with longer needs for respiratory supports. Negative ETA culture might encourage clinicians to stop antibiotics. Clinical Trials Registry of India No. CTRI/2019/03/017912, www.ctri.nic.in.

Application of Kangaroo Nursing in Preventing Neonatal Ventilator-associated Pneumonia

Application of Kangaroo Nursing in Preventing Neonatal Ventilator-associated Pneumonia

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Prevent Bacterial Biofilm Formation.

Biofilm formation is easily found in patients suffered from ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and makes the VAP infections not only harder to be treated but easier to relapse. In order to find some novel ways to inhibit biofilm formation, this study describe a previously unrecognized role for the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs). In addition to multiple differentiation, hUCMSCs have the ability to prevent the biofilms formation in vitro by secreting antibacterial peptides (LL-37 and hBD-2). This occurred while P. aeruginosa PA27853 and hUCMSCs were cocultured, and the filtrated medium, which was the supernatant containing antibacterial peptides (5.9 ng/ml of LL-37, 1.77 ng/ml of hBD-2), and inhibited the growth of the bacterial biofilm on the surface of tracheal tube (2.5#, for preterm infant). Using microarrays, we were able to demonstrate that the antibacterial peptides from hUCMSC affected biofilm formation by downregulating the gene-encoded polysaccharide biosynthesis protein. In addition, in order to find out the most suitable concentration of hUCMSCs, P. aeruginosa was cocultured with eight-level concentrations of hUCMSCs, and we found that the concentration of LL-37 was positively correlated with the concentration of hUCMSCs. Meanwhile, the concentration of LL-37 became stable while the hUCMSC concentration reaches higher than 5 × 106 cells/ml. But the concentration of hBD-2 had no significant correlation with hUCMSCs. The collection of these stem cells is not only limited by ethics but also reduces host rejection. This makes it possible to use autologous hUCMSCs to treat neonatal VAP.

Diagnostic Value of Endotracheal Tube-Aspirate Soluble Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 Concentration for Neonatal Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

Background: Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) is regarded as a biological marker of infection. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of endotracheal tube (ETT)-sTREM-1 concentration in neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia (NVAP), to explore the difference of (ETT)-sTREM-1 between preterm and full-term, and to investigate the influence of extrapulmonary infection on (ETT)-sTREM-1 concentration.Methods: In this multicenter, controlled clinical trial of 60 preterm and 33 full-term neonates on mechanical ventilators, we measured concentrations of ETT-aspirate and serum sTREM-1, serum C-reactive protein, and serum procalcitonin, as well as white blood cell count. We initially divided cases into eight groups, based on three categories: preterm of full-term; NVAP or non-NVAP; and extrapulmonary infection present or absent. Groups were compared, and logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine diagnostic value.Results: The mean gestational age (± standard deviation) of preterm and full-term neonates was 28.9 ± 2.2 weeks and 39.5 ± 1.7 weeks, respectively, and 32/60 were male. The ETT-aspirate sTREM-1 concentration was higher in NVAP cases than in non-NVAP cases, irrespective of extrapulmonary infection. ROC analysis revealed that ETT-aspirate sTREM-1 concentration had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.986 and a cutoff value of 228.0 pg/ml (sensitivity, 94.3%; specificity, 96%) in preterm neonates; the same values in full-term neonates were 0.938 and 245.5 pg/ml (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 93.7%), respectively. The optimal combination of indicators was ETT-aspirate sTREM-1 and serum C-reactive protein concentration. All indicators were present at lower levels on days 8 and 10 of ventilation in neonates who ultimately recovered than in those who did not.Conclusions: ETT-aspirate sTREM-1 and serum C-reactive protein concentrations may be useful for the diagnosis of NVAP.

Soluble Triggering Receptors Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 as a Neonatal Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Biomarker

BackgroundNeonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia (NVAP) is one of the main infections acquired in hospitals, and soluble triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) are a TREM-1 subtype that can be released into the blood or bodily fluids during an infection.MethodsThe patients included in the present study were divided into three groups: the NVAP group, the first control group, and the second control group (n = 20, each). Children requiring respiratory treatment were assigned to the NVAP group, newborns who received mechanical ventilation and had neonatal respiratory distress syndrome were assigned to the first control group, and newborns with normal X-ray and electrocardiogram results but no non-pulmonary infection was assigned to the second control group. The blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) sTREM-1 levels in all newborns were analyzed.ResultsThe acute-phase blood and BALF sTREM-1 levels were significantly higher in the NVAP group than in the first control group, and the blood sTREM-1 expression level was lower in the second control group than in the NVAP group.ConclusionThe present results suggest that sTREM-1 might be a useful biomarker for NVAP prediction in the Department of Pediatrics.

Frequency of ventilator circuit changes to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia in neonates and children-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To assess the effect of different frequencies of ventilator circuit changes in neonates and children through a systematic review and meta-analysis. (1) "No routine change of ventilator circuit (unless visibly soiled)" versus "routine change at any fixed interval"; (2) routine change of circuit at "less frequent" versus "more frequent" intervals. Primary outcomes were VAP rate (number of VAP episodes per 1000 ventilator-days) and all-cause mortality before discharge. MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and CINAHL were systematically searched from inception till November 3, 2020. Two authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias, and independently extracted data. Data were synthesized using fixed effects model. GRADE was used to assess certainty of evidence (CoE). We identified six studies enrolling 768 participants evaluating circuit changes at two fixed intervals. Meta-analysis of studies on circuit changes "once in less than 7 days" versus "once weekly" showed no difference in VAP rate (risk ratio: 0.83 [0.38-1.81]; one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and 0.94 [0.49-1.81]; two before-after studies) or mortality before discharge (0.67 [0.34-1.3]; one RCT and 1.01 [0.63-1.64]; two before-after studies). CoE was very low. Less frequent circuit changes reduced health-care costs. No study evaluating "circuit changes only when visibly soiled" versus "circuit changes at a fixed interval" was identified. There is no evidence to suggest that ventilator circuits can be safely left unchanged until visibly soiled in neonates and children. Extending circuit changes interval to "once weekly" may not increase VAP rate (CoE-very low) and reduces healthcare costs.

Prevention of neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia through oral care with the combined use of colostrum and sodium bicarbonate.

This study aims to investigate the effect of oral care via the combined use of colostrum and sodium bicarbonate on the prevention of neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). In accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 120 infant patients who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from January to October of 2019 were selected and randomly divided into three groups (40 cases in each group), namely, colostrum combined with sodium bicarbonate nursing (experimental group), colostrum (control group I), and sodium bicarbonate (control group II) groups. The primary outcomes measured included incidence rates of VAP and oral infection, positive rate of pathogenic bacteria after sputum culture, mechanical ventilation time, and length of stay (LOS). The incidence rates of VAP and oral infection and the positive rate of pathogenic bacteria after sputum culture of the experimental group, which were 6.67%, 10.00%, and 10.00%, respectively, were significantly different from those of control groups I and II (p < 0.05). The mechanical ventilation time of the experimental group was 156.07 ± 26.67 h, which was shortened by 9.79% and 9.43% compared with those of control groups I and II, respectively. The LOS of the experimental group was 17.6 ± 1.96 days, which was shortened by 17.74% and 17.50% compared with those of control groups I and II, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (p< 0.05). Oral care through the combined use of colostrum and sodium bicarbonate can lower the VAP incidence rate of infant patients and shorten their mechanical ventilation time and LOS.

An Observational Study on Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia as a Cause for Nosocomial Infection in Mechanically Ventilated Neonates

Background: Neonatal ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is a major hospital-acquired infection in acute care settings, associated with high mortality and poor outcome. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the frequency of ventilator associated pneumonia, its causative organisms, its risk factors and outcomes at our NICU. Methods: This is a prospective observational cohort study used Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for infant's ≤1 year old to diagnose neonatal VAP. All inborn and out-borne neonates who admitted to our NICU from April 2018 to March 2019 were screened for study enrollment and were considered eligible if ventilated for more than 48 hours. They were classified into: Group A: cases with suspected VAP and Group B: cases without VAP. Results: Thirty eight out of 140 patients admitted to NICU were VAP with frequency 27.2%. There were significant changes in the vital signs, respiratory manifestation, ventilator settings, radiologic progression and laboratory findings in VAP group. The risk factors were birth weight less than 1500g (P=0.002), prematurity (P< 0.05), duration of ventilation (26.0 ± 11.5 days, P<0.001) and duration of hospital stay (40.3±14.9). Microorganisms associated with bloodstream infection in the VAP-diagnosed group were Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Candida spp. and other Gram negative bacilli (26.3, 5.2, 31.5, and 15.7% respectively). Klebsiella spp. was the most commonly isolated pathogen in non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage. In-hospital mortality rates in VAP and non-VAP groups were 65% and 25.5% respectively (P<0.001). Conclusions: The frequency of ventilator acquired pneumonia (VAP) in NICU was 27.2%. The most common risk factors of VAP were very low birth weights, prematurity, longer duration of ventilation and duration of hospital stay while Klebsiella spp. was the most common microorganism associated with bloodstream infection.

Impacts of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens and Inappropriate Initial Antibiotic Therapy on the Outcomes of Neonates with Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

: BackgroundIt is unknown whether neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens and inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment is associated with poor outcomes after adjusting for confounders. Methods: We prospectively observed all neonates with a definite diagnosis of VAP from a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Taiwan between October 2017 and March 2020. All clinical features, therapeutic interventions, and outcomes were compared between the MDR–VAP and non-MDR–VAP groups. Multivariate regression analyses were used to investigate independent risk factors for treatment failure. Results: Of 720 neonates who were intubated for more than 2 days, 184 had a total of 245 VAP episodes. The incidence rate of neonatal VAP was 10.1 episodes/per 1000 ventilator days. Ninety-six cases (39.2%) were caused by MDR pathogens. Neonates with MDR–VAP were more likely to receive inadequate initial antibiotic therapy (51.0% versus 4.7%; p < 0.001) and had delayed resolution of clinical symptoms (38.5% versus 25.5%; p = 0.034), although final treatment outcomes were comparable with the non-MDR–VAP group. Inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment was not significantly associated with worse outcomes. The VAP-attributable mortality rate and overall mortality rate of this cohort were 3.7% and 12.0%, respectively. Independent risk factors for treatment failure included presence of concurrent bacteremia (OR 4.83; 95% CI 2.03–11.51; p < 0.001), septic shock (OR 3.06; 95% CI 1.07–8.72; p = 0.037), neonates on high-frequency oscillatory ventilator (OR 4.10; 95% CI 1.70–9.88; p = 0.002), and underlying neurological sequelae (OR 3.35; 95% CI 1.47–7.67; p = 0.004). Conclusions: MDR–VAP accounted for 39.2% of all neonatal VAP in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but neither inappropriate initial antibiotics nor MDR pathogens were associated with treatment failure. Neonatal VAP with concurrent bacteremia, septic shock, and underlying neurological sequelae were independently associated with final worse outcomes.

Intravenous vs intravenous plus aerosolized colistin for treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia – a matched case–control study in neonates

ABSTRACT Background Recently intravenous (IV) and aerosolized (ASZ) colistin have been used for treating ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) due to colistin susceptible multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB). Colistin has limited lung penetration. We compared the efficacy and safety of IV-alone versus IV+ASZ-colistin for treating VAP in neonates. Methods This retrospective matched case–control study was performed at NICU of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan between January 2015 and December 2018. Sixteen neonates with MDR-GNB associated VAP received IV-ASZ-colistin and were matched for date of birth, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, antenatal steroid history, disease severity, and duration of mechanical ventilation with 16 control neonates who received IV-colistin alone. Results Both groups had similar MDR-GNB isolates and Acinetobacter baumannii (78%) was the most common pathogen. No colistin-resistant strain was isolated. Duration of IV-colistin and concomitant antibiotics use was significantly (p < 0.05) shorter in the IV-ASZ-colistin group. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher clinical cure and microbial eradication, along with lower ventilatory requirements, mortality rate, and colistin induced nephrotoxicity and electrolyte imbalance was observed in the IV-ASZ-colistin group. Conclusions With better lung penetration, ASZ-colistin offers effective and safe microbiological and clinical benefits as adjunctive or alternate treatment of VAP due to colistin susceptible MDR-GNB in neonates.

Analysis of incidence and risk factors of neonatal ventilator associated pneumonia in a hospital in Hunan Province, 2016-2018

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of VAP. Methods: A total of 1 872 neonates, who were admitted into NICU of Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital and subjected to mechanical ventilation from October 2016 to June 2018, were enrolled in the study. The neonates who met the diagnostic criteria of VAP were selected as the case group, and those who were treated with ventilator for 48 hours at the same time were regarded as the control group. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the related factors of VAP. Results: Of the 1 872 neonates who underwent the mechanical ventilation, the VAP occurred in 160 cases with the incidence rate of 8.5% (160 cases). The 227 specimens were collected. Gram-positive bacteria (n=116, 51.1%) were the main pathogens. The main pathogens were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Acinetobacter baumannii. By Chi-square test, birth weight, birth age, Apgar score, duration of ventilator, and whether newborn mothers with pregnancy hypertension were influencing factors. The result of logistic regression analysis showed that compared with no pregnancy included hypertension, the first aid measure at birth was initial resuscitation, and the MV time ≤ 5 days, the risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia in neonates included: their mothers with hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy, using of tracheal intubation and ventilator time more than 5 days. Conclusion: The incidence of VAP in neonates receiving continuous MV therapy in neonatal intensive care unit is higher. Gram-positive bacteria are the main pathogens. VAP in neonates is related to whether newborn mothers with pregnancy hypertension, MV duration and tracheal intubation.

Significance of sTREM-1 in early prediction of ventilator-associated pneumonia in neonates: a single-center, prospective, observational study

BackgroundTo evaluate whether soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) can be used as an early predictor of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).MethodsVentilated neonatal patients admitted into the neonatology department between January 2017 and January 2018 were divided into VAP (n = 30) and non-VAP (n = 30) groups. Serum sTREM, procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels were measured at 0, 24, 72, and 120 h after initiation of mechanical ventilation (MV). Correlations between blood biomarker concentrations and VAP occurrence were analyzed. Predictive factors for VAP were identified by logistic regression analysis and Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and the predictive value of sTREM-1 and biomarker combinations for VAP was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ResultsThe serum sTREM-1 concentration was significantly higher in the VAP group than in the non-VAP group after 72 and 120 h of MV (72 h: 289.5 (179.6–427.0) vs 202.9 (154.8–279.6) pg/ml, P < 0.001; 120 h: 183.9 (119.8–232.1) vs 141.3 (99.8–179.1) pg/ml, P = 0.042). The area under the curve (AUC) for sTREM-1 at 72 h was 0.902 with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 77% for the optimal cut-off value of 165.05 pg/ml. Addition of PCT to sTERM-1 at 72 h further improved the predictive value, with this combination having an AUC of 0.971 (95% confidence interval: 0.938–1.000), sensitivity of 0.96, specificity of 0.88, and Youden index of 0.84.ConclusionsTREM-1 is a reliable predictor of VAP in neonates, and combined measurement of serum levels of sTREM-1 and PCT after 72 h of MV provided the most accurate prediction of VAP in neonatal patients.