Ventilator-associated pneumonia due to meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: risk factors and outcome in a large general hospital

Summary Background Data about risk factors and impact on outcome of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in unselected patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are limited. Aim To assess predisposing factors and outcome of VAP due to MRSA in a large teaching institution. Methods Prospective study carried out over four years in the three adult ICUs of our hospital. Patients with MRSA-VAP were compared with those with bacterial VAP due to other microorganisms. Findings Overall, 474 episodes of bacterial VAP were collected. Significant differences between MRSA-VAP (111) and VAP due to other microorganisms (363) were found for median age (68 vs. 62 years), median APACHE II score (12 vs. 11), neurosurgery (5.4% vs. 13.8%), abdominal surgery (35% vs. 19%), prior treatment with any antibiotic (82.9% vs. 64.5%) and with imipenem (24% vs. 11%) at present admission before VAP, and pleural effusion (12% vs. 5%). Multivariate analysis adjusted for confounding factors showed that higher APACHE II score, prior treatment with any antibiotic and pleural effusion were independent risk factors for MRSA. As for treatment and outcome, the differences between MRSA-VAP and other VAP were inadequate empiric treatment (70% vs. 53%), median cost of antibiotics per episode (€974 vs. €726), and in-hospital mortality (60% vs. 47%). At multivariate analysis, however, MRSA was not found to be an independent risk factor for mortality. Conclusion MRSA is a common cause of VAP. Underlying conditions predispose to its high mortality.