The findings of sputum culture of intubated mechanically ventilated patients versus non-intubated patients in the ICU

Abstract EN

A prospective clinical study was carried out in the ICU at Al-Basrah and AI-Tahreer General Hospitals to determine the percentage of positive sputum culture among intubated and mechanically ventilated patients compared to non-intubated patients, reflecting the impact of intubation and mechanical ventilation on increased risk of nosocomial infection and subsequent increased frequency of morbidity and mortality in ICU patients.

One hundred and twenty patients were admitted to these ICUs during a 6-months period (November 2008 to April 2009), they were 55 Females and 65 Males with mean age of 44.14 year (range 4-86year).

Among 60 intubated ventilated patients, 25 (41.7 %) had positive sputum culture.

The bacteriology of positive sputum culture was caused predominantly by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 36 % followed by Klebsiella species in 28 %, streptococcus pneumonia 24 % and Escherichia coli in 12 %.

Among 60 non intubated patients, 8 (13.3 %) had positive sputum culture.

The bacteriology of positive sputum culture was caused predominantly by Streptococcus pneumonia in 50 % followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 25 % and Klebsiella species in 25%. This study confirmed that intubation and mechanical ventilation (mechanical interference) are risk factors that lead to increase the rate of nosocomial infection and subsequent increased frequency of morbidity and mortality in ICU patients.