Lower Respiratory Tract Infection and Short-Term Outcome in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections (VA-LRTIs) are associated with mortality in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Post hoc analysis of prospective cohort study including mechanically ventilated patients from a multicenter prospective observational study (TAVeM study); VA-LRTI was defined as either ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) or ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) based on clinical criteria and microbiological confirmation. Association between intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients having ARDS with and without VA-LRTI was assessed through logistic regression controlling for relevant confounders. Association between VA-LRTI and duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay was assessed through competing risk analysis. Contribution of VA-LRTI to a mortality model over time was assessed through sequential random forest models. RESULTS: The cohort included 2960 patients of which 524 fulfilled criteria for ARDS; 21% had VA-LRTI (VAT = 10.3% and VAP = 10.7%). After controlling for illness severity and baseline health status, we could not find an association between VA-LRTI and ICU mortality (odds ratio: 1.07; 95% confidence interval: 0.62-1.83; P = .796); VA-LRTI was also not associated with prolonged ICU length of stay or duration of mechanical ventilation. The relative contribution of VA-LRTI to the random forest mortality model remained constant during time. The attributable VA-LRTI mortality for ARDS was higher than the attributable mortality for VA-LRTI alone. CONCLUSION: After controlling for relevant confounders, we could not find an association between occurrence of VA-LRTI and ICU mortality in patients with ARDS.

Traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica: uma atualização / Ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis: an update

RESUMO As infecções do trato respiratório inferior associadas à ventilação mecânica são uma das complicações mais frequentes em pacientes em ventilação mecânica. Há muitos anos, a traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica tem sido considerada uma doença que não demanda antibioticoterapia. Na última década, diversos estudos demonstraram que a traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica deve ser considerada um processo intermediário que leva à pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica, uma vez que apesar de ter impacto limitado sobre a mortalidade dos pacientes gravemente enfermos internados nas unidades de terapia intensiva, em contrapartida, demonstra associação significativa com o aumento dos custos hospitalares desses pacientes, assim como do tempo de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva e hospitalar, do uso de antibióticos, e da duração da ventilação mecânica. Embora ainda necessitemos de evidências científicas mais robustas, especialmente no que tange às modalidades terapêuticas, os dados atuais a respeito da traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica salientam que há desfechos suficientemente importantes que exigem vigilância epidemiológica e controle clínico adequados.

ABSTRACT Ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infection is one of the most frequent complications in mechanically ventilated patients. Ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis has been considered a disease that does not warrant antibiotic treatment by the medical community for many years. In the last decade, several studies have shown that tracheobronchitis could be considered an intermediate process that leads to ventilator-associated pneumonia. Furthermore, ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis has a limited impact on overall mortality but shows a significant association with increased patient costs, length of stay, antibiotic use, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Although we still need clear evidence, especially concerning treatment modalities, the present study on ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis highlights that there are important impacts of including this condition in clinical management and epidemiological and infection surveillance.

Ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis: an update. / Traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica: uma atualização.

Ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infection is one of the most frequent complications in mechanically ventilated patients. Ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis has been considered a disease that does not warrant antibiotic treatment by the medical community for many years. In the last decade, several studies have shown that tracheobronchitis could be considered an intermediate process that leads to ventilator-associated pneumonia. Furthermore, ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis has a limited impact on overall mortality but shows a significant association with increased patient costs, length of stay, antibiotic use, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Although we still need clear evidence, especially concerning treatment modalities, the present study on ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis highlights that there are important impacts of including this condition in clinical management and epidemiological and infection surveillance.

As infecções do trato respiratório inferior associadas à ventilação mecânica são uma das complicações mais frequentes em pacientes em ventilação mecânica. Há muitos anos, a traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica tem sido considerada uma doença que não demanda antibioticoterapia. Na última década, diversos estudos demonstraram que a traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica deve ser considerada um processo intermediário que leva à pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica, uma vez que apesar de ter impacto limitado sobre a mortalidade dos pacientes gravemente enfermos internados nas unidades de terapia intensiva, em contrapartida, demonstra associação significativa com o aumento dos custos hospitalares desses pacientes, assim como do tempo de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva e hospitalar, do uso de antibióticos, e da duração da ventilação mecânica. Embora ainda necessitemos de evidências científicas mais robustas, especialmente no que tange às modalidades terapêuticas, os dados atuais a respeito da traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica salientam que há desfechos suficientemente importantes que exigem vigilância epidemiológica e controle clínico adequados.

Antibiotic therapy in ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis: a literature review. / Terapêutica antibiótica na traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica: uma revisão da literatura.

The concept of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis is controversial; its definition is not unanimously accepted and often overlaps with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis has an incidence similar to that of ventilator-associated pneumonia, with a high prevalence of isolated multiresistant agents, resulting in an increase in the time of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization but without an impact on mortality. The performance of quantitative cultures may allow better diagnostic definition of tracheobronchitis associated with mechanical ventilation, possibly avoiding the overdiagnosis of this condition. One of the major difficulties in differentiating between ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis and ventilator-associated pneumonia is the exclusion of a pulmonary infiltrate by chest radiography; thoracic computed tomography, thoracic ultrasonography, or invasive specimen collection may also be required. The institution of systemic antibiotic therapy does not improve the clinical impact of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis, particularly in reducing time of mechanical ventilation, hospitalization or mortality, despite the possible reduced progression to ventilator-associated pneumonia. However, there are doubts regarding the methodology used. Thus, considering the high prevalence of tracheobronchitis associated with mechanical ventilation, routine treatment of this condition would result in high antibiotic usage without clear benefits. However, we suggest the institution of antibiotic therapy in patients with tracheobronchitis associated with mechanical ventilation and septic shock and/or worsening of oxygenation, and other auxiliary diagnostic tests should be simultaneously performed to exclude ventilator-associated pneumonia. This review provides a better understanding of the differentiation between tracheobronchitis associated with mechanical ventilation and pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation, which can significantly decrease the use of antibiotics in critically ventilated patients.

Terapêutica antibiótica na traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica: uma revisão da literatura / Antibiotic therapy in ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis: a literature review

RESUMO O conceito de traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica é controverso, e sua definição não é unanimemente aceita, sobrepondo-se, muitas vezes, à da pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica. A traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica tem incidência semelhante à da pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica, com elevada prevalência de agentes multirresistentes isolados, condicionando um aumento do tempo de ventilação mecânica e de internação, ainda que sem impacto na mortalidade. A realização de culturas quantitativas pode permitir melhor definição diagnóstica da traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica, possivelmente evitando o sobrediagnóstico desta entidade. Uma das maiores dificuldades na diferenciação entre traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica e pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica reside na exclusão de um infiltrado pulmonar por meio da radiografia do tórax; também podem ser necessárias a tomografia computadorizada torácica, a ultrassonografia torácica ou ainda a colheita de amostras invasivas. A instituição de terapêutica antibiótica sistêmica não demonstrou melhorar o impacto clínico da traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica, nomeadamente na redução do tempo de ventilação mecânica, de internação ou mortalidade, apesar da eventual menor progressão para pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica, ainda que existam dúvidas relativas à metodologia utilizada. Deste modo, considerando a elevada prevalência da traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica, o tratamento desta entidade, por rotina, resultaria em elevada prescrição antibiótica sem benefícios claros. No entanto, sugerimos a instituição de terapêutica antibiótica em doentes com traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica e choque séptico e/ou agravamento da oxigenação, devendo ser realizados simultaneamente outros exames auxiliares de diagnóstico para exclusão da pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica. Após esta revisão da literatura, entendemos que uma melhor diferenciação entre traqueobronquite associada à ventilação mecânica e pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica pode diminuir, de forma significativa, a utilização de antibióticos em doentes críticos ventilados.

ABSTRACT The concept of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis is controversial; its definition is not unanimously accepted and often overlaps with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis has an incidence similar to that of ventilator-associated pneumonia, with a high prevalence of isolated multiresistant agents, resulting in an increase in the time of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization but without an impact on mortality. The performance of quantitative cultures may allow better diagnostic definition of tracheobronchitis associated with mechanical ventilation, possibly avoiding the overdiagnosis of this condition. One of the major difficulties in differentiating between ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis and ventilator-associated pneumonia is the exclusion of a pulmonary infiltrate by chest radiography; thoracic computed tomography, thoracic ultrasonography, or invasive specimen collection may also be required. The institution of systemic antibiotic therapy does not improve the clinical impact of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis, particularly in reducing time of mechanical ventilation, hospitalization or mortality, despite the possible reduced progression to ventilator-associated pneumonia. However, there are doubts regarding the methodology used. Thus, considering the high prevalence of tracheobronchitis associated with mechanical ventilation, routine treatment of this condition would result in high antibiotic usage without clear benefits. However, we suggest the institution of antibiotic therapy in patients with tracheobronchitis associated with mechanical ventilation and septic shock and/or worsening of oxygenation, and other auxiliary diagnostic tests should be simultaneously performed to exclude ventilator-associated pneumonia. This review provides a better understanding of the differentiation between tracheobronchitis associated with mechanical ventilation and pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation, which can significantly decrease the use of antibiotics in critically ventilated patients.

Incidence and prognosis of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (TAVeM): a multicentre, prospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis has been suggested as an intermediate process between tracheobronchial colonisation and ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. We aimed to establish the incidence and effect of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis in a large, international patient cohort. METHODS: We did a multicentre, prospective, observational study in 114 intensive care units (ICU) in Spain, France, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia over a preplanned time of 10 months. All patients older than 18 years admitted to an ICU who received invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 h were eligible. We prospectively obtained data for incidence of ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections, defined as ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis or ventilator-associated pneumonia. We grouped patients according to the presence or absence of such infections, and obtained data for the effect of appropriate antibiotics on progression of tracheobronchitis to pneumonia. Patients were followed up until death or discharge from hospital. To account for centre effects with a binary outcome, we fitted a generalised estimating equation model with a logit link, exchangeable correlation structure, and non-robust standard errors. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01791530. FINDINGS: Between Sept 1, 2013, and July 31, 2014, we obtained data for 2960 eligible patients, of whom 689 (23%) developed ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections. The incidence of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis and that of ventilator-associated pneumonia at baseline were similar (320 [11%; 10·2 of 1000 mechanically ventilated days] vs 369 [12%; 8·8 of 1000 mechanically ventilated days], p=0·48). Of the 320 patients with tracheobronchitis, 250 received appropriate antibiotic treatment and 70 received inappropriate antibiotics. 39 patients with tracheobronchitis progressed to pneumonia; however, the use of appropriate antibiotic therapy for tracheobronchitis was associated with significantly lower progression to pneumonia than was inappropriate treatment (19 [8%] of 250 vs 20 [29%] of 70, p<0·0001; crude odds ratio 0·21 [95% CI 0·11-0·41]). Significantly more patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia died (146 [40%] of 369) than those with tracheobronchitis (93 [29%] of 320) or absence of ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections (673 [30%] of 2271, p<0·0001). Median time to discharge from the ICU for survivors was significantly longer in the tracheobronchitis (21 days [IQR 15-34]) and pneumonia (22 [13-36]) groups than in the group with no ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections (12 [8-20]; hazard ratio 1·65 [95% CI 1·38-1·97], p<0·0001). INTERPRETATION: This large database study emphasises that ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis is a major health problem worldwide, associated with high resources consumption in all countries. Our findings also show improved outcomes with use of appropriate antibiotic treatment for both ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis and ventilator-associated pneumonia, underlining the importance of treating both infections, since inappropriate treatment of tracheobronchitis was associated with a higher risk of progression to pneumonia. FUNDING: None.

Infecciones respiratorias asociadas a traqueostomías en niños / Respiratory infections due to tracheostomy in children

Tracheostomy is the communication between the trachea and the exterior. This procedure is indicated in situations of critical upper airway obstruction or need of long term mechanical ventilation. This condition of airway exposed directly to the environment, without the natural mechanisms of defence, determines a higher risk for infections. This paper seeks defining microbiological situations in patients with tracheostomy and suggests treatment guidelines.

La traqueostomía es un procedimiento que comunica la tráquea con el exterior, indicada en situaciones de obstrucción crítica de la vía aérea alta o necesidad de ventilación mecánica prolongada. Esta situación de comunicación de la vía aérea con el medio, sin los mecanismos de protección naturales, determina un mayor riesgo de infecciones respiratorias. Este artículo busca definir situaciones microbiológicas frecuentes en pacientes con traqueostomía y sugerir líneas de manejo.

Extracutaneous sporotrichosis in a patient with liver cirrhosis.

We report an unusual case of disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis with oral mucous and tracheal involvement in a forty-year-old male with a history of heavy drinking and liver cirrhosis. We also review the literature and other similar published cases.

Traqueitis bacteriana: 22 casos atendidos en el Hospital para el Niño, DIFEM, de 1985 a 1994 / Bacterial tracheitis: 22 cases from Hospital para el Niño DIFEM, from 1985 to 1994

La traqueitis bacteriana (TB) es una enfermedad aguda bacteriana caracterizada por la obstrucción respiratoria alta con fiebre y es diagnosticada por la presencia de secreciones purulentas en la tráquea. Reportamos 22 casos de TB admitidos entre 1985 y 1994 en el Hospital para el Niño de Toluca que fueron diagnosticados por broncoscopia y cultivos bacterianos. Se presentó en los meses de frío (90 por ciento) y 16 casos tuvieron entre uno y tres años de edad. Se encontraron las siguientes bacterias: S. aureus, S. pyogenes, H. influenzae, Enterobacter, E. coli y P. aureus, S. pyogenes, H. influenzae, Enterobacter, E. coli y P. aeruginosa. Es conveniente que el médico mantenga un alto índice de sospecha de TB en aquellos niños con fiebre y obstrucción respiratoria alta que no responde al tratamiento habitual para crup

Traqueítis bacteriana

La traqueítis bacteriana es una entidad potencialmente fatal que ha reaparecido en la última década con inusitado auge. A propósito de su detección en nuestro servicio decidimos realizar un estudio retrospectivo en el Hospital Universitario de la Misericordia de Santa Fe de Bogotá entre enero de 1990 y julio de 1994. Se revisaron 88 historias de pacientes con diagnósticos clínico sugestivo de traqueítis bacteriana pero sólo 13 pacientes cumplieron con el requisito de confirmación endoscópica del diagnóstico para ser considerados en el presente trabajo. La edad osciló entre 1 y 7 años, predominando el sexo masculino. Existió antecedente de infección respiratoria previa en el 54 por ciento, los síntomas más frecuentes fueron fiebre, tos perruna y dificultad respiratoria; los hemogramas mostraron leucocitosis, neutrofilia y aumento de la VSG. En la endoscopia se observó exudado traqueal, membranas purunlentas y úlceras; en solo cultivo se aisló Staphylococcus aureus. El 62 por ciento requirió permeabilizar la vía aérea, 3 con traqueostomía y 5 con tubo orotraqueal. El 46 por ciento se manejó con oxacilina y todos evolucionaron satisfactoriamente.

Laryngotracheobronchitis as a complication of measles during an urban epidemic.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate demographic and clinical correlates of laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB) as a complication of measles during a community-wide epidemic. DESIGN: Retrospective review of medical records. SETTING: Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, a large urban pediatric facility, during a regional epidemic of measles studied January through June 1990. PATIENTS: All patients identified at our hospital who met Centers for Disease Control criteria for measles. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Of 440 patients with measles, 82 also had LTB (18.6%). Patients in whom LTB developed were significantly younger (mean +/- SD: 14.7 +/- 8.2 months) than the cohort (24.8 +/- 30.1 months) (p less than 0.001) and more likely to require hospitalization (91.5%) than the cohort (44.3%) (p less than 0.001). Thirteen patients (17.3%) required intensive care, including 9 (11%) who required endotracheal intubation for a mean of 8.3 +/- 7.1 days. Pulmonary function testing of five patients with an endotracheal tube in place, including three not clinically assessed as having pneumonia, indicated the presence of concomitant lower respiratory tract disease. CONCLUSION: Laryngotracheobronchitis was a frequent and often severe complication of measles. The likelihood that LTB would develop was inversely related to age, generally required inpatient care, and necessitated endotracheal intubation in severely affected patients.

Upper airway obstruction in association with perinatally acquired herpes simplex virus infection.

Two cases of neonatal upper respiratory tract obstruction caused by herpes simplex virus are described. Infection of the upper respiratory tract with this virus should be included in the differential diagnosis of fever and stridor during the neonatal period.

Necrotizing tracheobronchitis: a complication of high-frequency ventilation.

The tracheobronchial histopathologic findings in eight neonates who died after treatment with high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) were compared with those in eight similar infants who died after treatment with conventional mechanical ventilation. The HFJV and conventionally treated groups were matched as closely as possible for birth weight, gestational age, and duration of mechanical ventilation. A 4-point, nine-variable histologic scoring system was used to grade tissue changes in the trachea, carina, and mainstem bronchi. The patients who received HFJV had significantly more histologic damage in their tracheas, carinas, and right and left mainstem bronchi. At all levels of the airway examined, HFJV was associated with more inflammation, greater losses of ciliated epithelium, and more mucus within the lumen of the airway than was conventional mechanical ventilation.

Paracoccidioidomicose pulmonar agressiva, endotraqueíte estenosante e cor-pulmonale subagudo: descriçäo de um caso / Aggressive pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis, stenosing endotracheitis and cor pulmonale: report of a case

A paracoccidioidomicose (Pbmicose) atinge os pulmöes pela via inalatória, onde se estabelece o complexo primário semelhante ao da tuberculose. A traquéia comprometida pela via tubohemolinfática desenvolveria reaçäo inflamatória em processo granulomatoso levando à obstruçäo estenosante com asfixia. Acompanhou-se um doente, masculino, 32 anos, branco, natural de Sarutaiá (SP), lavrador, que há 8 meses desenvolveu tosse expectorativa branco-amarelada, diária, sem fatores de melhora ou piora e dispnéia inicial discreta. Há 4 meses, anorexia, fraqueza e astenia. Há 1 mês a dispneia se agravou. Perdeu 15 kg. Tabagista e etilista há 16 anos. Exame físico revelou: PA - 10/7 mmHg, FR = 28 bpm, peso 31 kg, hipocratismo digital e hipotrofia muscular Tórax enfisematoso e síndrome obstrutivo aos testes de funçäo pulmonar. Coraçäo: P2 desdobrada e hiperfonética. Hepatesplenomegalia. Desenvolveu cor-pulmonale e insuficiência adrenal à internaçäo, evoluindo após 45 dias para óbito em insuficiência respiratória aguda asfixiante, apesar da terapia antifúngica ter sido completa. A literatura médica revista näo mostrou registro de caso semelhante de cor-pulmonale e insuficiência adrenal de evoluçäo subaguda

Antibiotic activity in sputum.

Pulmonary infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) is primarily a purulent tracheobronchitis. Antibiotics are available that are active in vitro against bacteria isolated from sputum from patients with CF. Despite efficacious antibiotic concentrations in serum, however, the results of treatment are frequently suboptimal. A widely accepted explanation for this limited efficacy is poor penetration of orally or intravenously administered antibiotics into respiratory secretions. The bioactivity of antibiotics in respiratory secretions is not identical to that found in vitro. Laboratory conditions are standardized and selected to approximate serum. Deviations from these conditions can markedly influence the results. Differences in composition between sputum and laboratory culture media, as well as variation in growth and metabolism of the pathogen in respiratory secretions, must be considered when predicting in vivo activity in sputum. Thus, when defining criteria for antibiotic susceptibility or resistance in the treatment of pulmonary infection in patients with CF, the concentrations achievable in bronchial secretions as well as the bioactivity in this environment should be considered.