Acute lung injury and bacterial infection

Clin Chest Med. 2005 Mar;26(1):105-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2004.10.014.

Abstract

The relationships between acute lung injury and bacterial infection are complex. Indeed, sepsis and in particular pneumonia are leading causes of acute lung injury. Bacterial superinfection of the lung is a frequent complication of acute lung injury. Because of impaired host defenses and prolonged mechanical ventilation, more than one third of patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome acquire ventilator-associated pneumonia, with resistant pathogens in most instances. This complication is responsible for more than a doubling of the time on mechanical ventilation but does not seem to increase mortality.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / etiology*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / mortality
  • Respiration, Artificial / adverse effects*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / complications*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / immunology
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / therapy
  • Risk Factors
  • Superinfection / immunology
  • Ventilators, Mechanical / adverse effects*