Antibiotic resistance in nosocomial respiratory infections

Abstract

Nosocomial respiratory infections are the most common acquired infections in patients with severe underlying conditions and are responsible for high morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens are associated with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). This article describes the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of HAP and VAP associated with antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens.

Keywords: Health care–associated infections; Hospital-acquired pneumonia; Multidrug resistant pathogens; Nosocomial; Ventilator-associated pneumonia.