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Anaesthesia, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency A.P.I.C.E. pp 135–141Cite as

Diagnosis of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

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Abstract

The diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a difficult task. Clinical criteria are helpful in the diagnosis of VAP. Microbiology does not increase the accuracy of clinical diagnosis. Quantitative cultures from tracheal aspirate, bronchoalveolar lavage, or protect specimen brush are quite equivalent for the diagnosis of VAP. Blood cultures are not sensitive. Gram stain and cytological data may be influenced by prior antibiotic therapy. At the present, a diagnostic tool including clinical signs, chest radiograph, and microbiology of quantitative (or semiquantitative) sampling, either invasive or not, can be considered as a reliable approach.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Emergency, Unit of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Presidio Ospedaliero di Gorizia, Via Fatebenefratelli 34, Gorizia, 34170, Italy

    Luciano Silvestri & Serena Tomasino

  2. Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Daulby Street, Liverpool, L69 3GA, UK

    Hendrick K. F. van Saene

Authors
  1. Luciano Silvestri
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  2. Hendrick K. F. van Saene
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  3. Serena Tomasino
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luciano Silvestri .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. UCO di Anestesia e Rianimazione, University Hospital, Dept. of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, School of Medicine Catania, Catania, Italy

    Antonino Gullo

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Silvestri, L., van Saene, H.K.F., Tomasino, S. (2014). Diagnosis of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia. In: Gullo, A. (eds) Anaesthesia, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency A.P.I.C.E.. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5516-2_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5516-2_11

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-5515-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-5516-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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