82 cases of aspiration pneumonia in elderly patients: analysis of clinical feature and etiology

Objective To analyze clinical features and etiology of 82 cases of aspiration pneumonia.Methods The data of 82 cases of aspiration pneumonia in elderly patients in our department of respiratory medicine,department of neurology,and department of rehabilitation from May 2010 to December 2011 were collected.The clinical features and etiological results were analyzed.Results All the elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia had underlying diseases and susceptible factors,and their clinical signs and symptoms were not typical.127 pathogens were isolated.There were 82 strains of gram-negative bacilli (64.6％),32 strains of gram-positive cocci (25.2％),and 13 strains of fungi (10.2％).33 cases (40.2 ％) were with polyinfections,and 14 cases (17.1％) were with double infections.Conclusions It is of great importance that we raise the diagnosis rate of aspiration pneumonia in elderly patients,make rational use of antibiotic according to the etiological characteristics,and put emphasis on vigorous precautions. Key words: Aspiration pneumonia;  Clinical feature;  Etiology