Pulmonary and systemic bacterial co-infections in severe RSV bronchiolitis
- 1Department of Paediatric Intensive Care and Neonatology, University Children’s Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2Department of Infectious Diseases, University Children’s Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence to:
Dr B Frey
Department of Intensive Care and Neonatology, University Children’s Hospital, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland; Bernhard.Freykispi.unizh.ch
- Accepted 20 April 2004
Abstract
In 127 infants admitted to intensive care for RSV bronchiolitis, concomitant bacterial sepsis was a rare event. However, in the subgroup of intubated patients the incidence of bacterial pneumonia was 43.9% (95% CI 31.0–56.8%), half community acquired and half nosocomial. As clinical signs are not helpful in identifying these patients, tracheal aspirates have to be investigated microbiologically on a routine basis in order to start antibiotics in time.
- ICU, intensive care unit
- RSV, respiratory syncytial virus
- SIRS, systemic inflammatory response syndrome
