Objective: To analyze the possibility of isolating anaerobic bacteria using protected telescopic catheter (PTC) in patients with ventilatory-associated pneumonia.
Design and setting: A prospective epidemiological study in a 12-bed intensive care unit.
Patients: 104 patients with suspected ventilatory-associated pneumonia undergoing PTC for microbiological determination including specific methods for anaerobic bacteria identification (mean age 59.3, range 17-82; SAPS II 44.6+/-17.9).
Measurements and results: We performed 156 PTC procedures. Of the 14 cases ventilatory-associated pneumonia occurred early in 6 and in 8 late. In 52 samples at least one bacteria was isolated (33.3%). Of the 156 samples 14 yielded with anaerobic bacteria, representing 26.9% of the positive samples and 9% of all the samples.
Conclusion: Considering the potential pathogenic role of anaerobic bacteria in patients with ventilatory-associated pneumonia, the possibility of isolating these bacteria using PTC and taking into account its easiness and limited side effects should be underlined.