耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染危险因素分析及列线图预测模型构建

[摘要]?目的?探究住院患者发生耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌（carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, CRKP）血流感染的危险因素，并构建列线图模型。方法?选取2016年1月1日—2021年12月31日我院药学部收治的190例肺炎克雷伯菌（Klebsiella pneumonia, KP）所致血流感染患者作为研究对象，并根据是否耐碳青霉烯类抗菌药物，分为CRKP组（n=40）和碳青霉烯类敏感肺炎克雷伯菌（carbapenem-sensitive Klebsiella pneumonia, CSKP）组（n=150）。Logistic回归模型分析住院患者发生CRKP血流感染的危险因素，并绘制预测CRKP血流感染的列线图模型。使用ROC曲线、校准曲线及Hosmer-Lemeshow（H-L）检验对列线图模型进行验证。结果?感染前1个月内留置导尿管、留置中心静脉导管、使用免疫抑制剂、使用碳青霉烯类抗菌药物以及年龄≥65岁是影响住院患者发生CRKP血流感染的危险因素（P均＜0.05）。对列线图进行验证，校准曲线拟合良好，H-L检验χ2 =7.630，P=0.366，AUC为0.817（95% CI：0.739～0.895）。结论?感染前1个月内留置导尿管、留置中心静脉导管、使用免疫抑制剂、使用碳青霉烯类抗菌药物以及年龄≥65岁是住院患者发生CRKP血流感染的危险因素，据此构建的列线图模型对住院患者发生CRKP所致血流感染有较好预测价值，可为临床医护人员制定个体化防治策略提供参考。     

呼吸内科耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌不同耐药基因型的临床特征分析

目的分析解放军总医院呼吸内科耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌(CRKP)不同耐药基因型(OXA-48及KPC)的临床特征,旨在找到其内在差异,为临床预防及治疗提供依据。方法收集解放军总医院呼吸内科2013年7月至2015年7月分离出CRKP菌株的患者共44例,剔除同一患者分离的重复菌株,并根据产生碳青霉烯酶的不同分成KPC组及OXA-48组,比较2组患者的临床特点及耐药特性等指标。结果携带KPC酶14例,占31.8%;携带OXA-48酶27例,占61.4%;携带IMP酶2例,占4.5%;未携带碳青霉烯酶1例,占2.3%;其余型耐药基因未检出。单因素分析结果显示,OXA-48组与KPC组患者感染前住院时间,是否入住ICU≥7 d,感染前基础疾病及留置中心静脉置管、胸腔引流管、胃管、尿管,透析或连续性肾脏替代治疗,气管插管或气管切开,机械通气及内窥镜手术,分离出CRKP之前使用的药物情况及90 d全因死亡率等指标差异无统计学意义。OXA-48组和KPC组对美罗培南的耐药率分别为55.6%、92.9%,差异有统计学意义(P=0.038);OXA-48组和KPC组对亚胺培南的耐药率分别为66.7%100.0%,差异有统计学意义(P=0.041)。结论CRKP感染的患者病情严重且复杂,对多种抗生素耐药,死亡率较高,不同基因型CRKP临床特征无明显差异。CRKP不同基因型对于不同碳青霉烯类药物的耐药存在异质性,临床制定抗感染方案应结合耐药基因情况个体化治疗。     

呼吸机相关性肺炎患者耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌病原菌分析及耐药性监测

目的分析ICU呼吸机相关性肺炎患者耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌(CRKP)感染的临床危险因素,并监测其耐药性,为CRKP感染的防控和治疗提供依据。方法收集我院2017年3月-2019年3月重症医学科发生肺炎克雷伯菌感染肺炎的患者共64例,其中23例患者感染耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌(CRKP组),41例对碳青霉烯类抗菌药物敏感的肺炎克雷伯菌感染患者(CSKP组),分析两组患者基本情况、检出CRKP情况、CRKP携带的耐药基因及ST型情况,并行耐药性分析。结果有慢性肺病、机械通气时间≥7 d、感染前使用抗菌药物≥7 d、使用抗菌药物种类2种,以及使用过碳青霉烯类抗生素的患者检出CRKP概率更高;CRKP检出耐药基因有KPC-2(100%)、CTX-M-24(95.65%)、ompk35(95.65%)、ompk36(91.30%)、SHV-12(82.61%)、TEM-1(86.96%),NDM-1(8.70%), ST11型菌株所占78.26%,ST23型8.70%、ST25型8.70%,ST37型4.35%;CRKP对哌拉西林/他唑巴坦、头孢他啶、头孢曲松耐药性达100.00%,对替加环素4.35%、四环素8.70%、复方新诺明13.04%。结论 CRKP危险因素、耐药基因和种类较多,临床应针对可能的危险因素和耐药情况,采取相对应预防和治疗,从而预防与减少CRKP感染发生。     

耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染的预后相关因素分析

目的分析耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌(carbapenem-resistantKlebsiella pneumoniae, CRKP)血流感染患者的临床特点及其预后不良的危险因素, 帮助指导临床治疗。方法回顾性分析2015年8月至2020年8月安徽医科大学第一附属医院收治的CRKP血流感染成年患者的临床特征、合并感染部位、合并症、实验室检查、抗菌药物暴露情况等资料。将患者分为预后良好组和预后不良组, 比较两组患者的临床资料, 统计学分析采用秩和检验、χ2检验。使用二分类logistic回归分析影响CRKP血流感染患者预后不良的危险因素。结果 106例CRKP血流感染患者中, 预后良好组47例, 预后不良组59例。预后良好组与预后不良组的住院时间[39(22, 89) d比21(15, 38) d]、90 d内入院史比例[17.0%(8/47)比35.6%(21/59)]、有碳青霉烯类药物暴露史比例[42.6%(20/47)比64.4%(38/59)]、合并下呼吸道感染比例[44.7%(21/47)比78.0%(46/59)]、入住重症监护病房比例[34.0%(16/47)比81.4%(48...     

碳青酶烯类耐药肺炎克雷伯菌临床分布及其耐药特征

目的 了解医院碳青霉烯类耐药肺炎克雷伯菌(carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae,CRKP)分布情况及耐药特征,为临床有效防治CRKP提供参考.方法 收集2016年1月—2018年12月皖南医学院第一附属医院住院患者送检标本中分离的CRKP,对其进行菌株鉴定及药物敏感性分析,统计分析标本类型、科室分布及对抗菌药物耐药情况.结果 2016—2018年共收集非重复分离的CRKP 159株,检出率由2016年的12.20％下降至2018年的4.56％,呈逐年下降趋势(χ2趋势=31.198,P=0.000).CRKP主要来自痰液标本(119株,74.84％);检出率较高的前3个科室分别是神经外科(含神经外科ICU)、呼吸内科(含呼吸内科ICU)和ICU(含急诊ICU),分别为22.01％(35/159)、18.87％(30/159)和15.09％(24/159).CRKP对青霉素类、头孢菌素类、喹诺酮类抗菌药物普遍耐药,耐药率均>80％;其中呼吸内科(含呼吸内科ICU)中CRKP耐药率较其余科室高(除复方新诺明和呋喃妥因外).结论 我院CRKP检出率呈逐年下降趋势,CRKP防控措施发挥显著作用,但耐药情况依然严重,仍须予以持续高度关注.     

心胸外科术后继发耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌的临床观察及经验分享

目的 探讨心胸外科术后继发院内耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌（Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae,CRKP)感染的临床特点及治疗效果,为临床合理选用抗菌药物提供依据。方法 回顾分析上海交通大学附属新华医院心胸外科监护室2018年6月至2019年1月发生的13例CRKP感染的临床资料,分析其感染特点、治疗药物及预后转归等情况。结果13例患者共分离出21株CRKP菌株,血流感染3例,胸水感染4例,手术切口感染1例,肺部感染13例。高龄、机械通气时间延长及气管切开是主要危险因素。13例患者均采用了联合用药,11例以替加环素或多粘菌素b为基础,联合碳青霉烯类或非碳青霉烯类药物;2例使用亚胺培南联合阿米卡星。13例患者死亡8例。结论 心胸外科术后继发院内CRKP感染的耐药谱广、临床可选用的抗菌药物有限,预后不佳。     

ICU内碳青霉烯类耐药肺炎克雷伯菌感染的危险因素及预测模型的建立

目的探讨重症监护室(Intensive Care Unit, ICU)内碳青霉烯类耐药肺炎克雷伯菌感染(carbapenem resistanceKlebsiella pneumoniae infection, CRKP)的危险因素并建立预测模型。方法选取2014年01月至2019年12月在我院ICU进行治疗的患者150例作为研究对象,根据其是否发生CRKP分为感染组(n=70)和未感染组(n=80)。分析影响ICU患者发生CRKP的危险因素,绘制预测ICU患者发生CRKP的ROC曲线。结果感染组患者的血清IL-6以及TNF-α水平明显高于未感染组且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。抗菌药应用时间≥7天、是否运用过碳青霉烯类药物、机械通气时间≥7天、ICU住院天数≥5天、脑血管病病史、血清IL-6以及TNF-α表达,均是影响ICU患者发生CRKP的独立危险因素(P0.05)。结论影响ICU住院患者发生CRKP的危险因素较多,包括抗菌药应用时间≥7天、是否运用过CB类药物、机械通气时间≥7天、ICU住院天数≥5天、脑血管病病史、血清IL-6以及TNF-α表达等。     

碳青霉烯类抗菌药物敏感性降低的肺炎克雷伯菌流行病学分析及耐药性观察

目的 观察医院碳青霉烯类抗菌药物敏感性降低的肺炎克雷伯菌的流行病学及耐药情况.方法 采用Vitek 2 Compact进行细菌鉴定及药敏试验,从我院2010年11月～2011年10月临床标本中筛选出14株碳青霉烯类抗菌药物敏感性降低的肺炎克雷伯菌,以WHONET 5.4软件统计分析菌株的流行病学资料及耐药情况.结果 14株碳青霉烯类抗菌药物敏感性降低的肺炎克雷伯菌主要分离自NICU和神经科ICU患者的痰标本,患者性别无明显差异,多为新生儿及年龄＞60岁的老年人,其中12例有气管插管操作;菌株均为多重耐药,且其耐药率与往年比较呈上升趋势.结论 碳青霉烯类敏感性降低的肺炎克雷伯菌已在我院NICU局部流行,且均为泛耐药菌株;合理使用抗菌药物,做好重点科室多重耐药菌感染者的消毒与隔离,是控制此类感染的有效措施.     

耐碳青霉烯类克雷伯菌肺炎相关危险因素临床分析

目的 探讨耐碳青霉烯类克雷伯菌肺炎(CRKP)相关危险因素,为临床有效防治CRKP提供依据。方法 选择2017年05月至2021年09月郑州市第一人民医院呼吸与危重症医学科收治的CRKP患者48例,同期非CRKP 48例。对可能与CRKP有关的20个因素进行单因素分析,把单因素分析中存在显著差异的变量作为自变量,进行Logistic回归分析,确定CRKP的独立危险因素。结果 Logistic回归分析显示CRKP的危险因素有：年龄≥65岁、糖尿病、入住重症监护室、气管插管、机械通气、吸痰、糖皮质激素应用、抗菌药物暴露(碳青霉烯类、β-内酰胺类、喹诺酮类抗菌药物应用)(P<0.05)。结论 患者年龄≥65岁、糖尿病、入住重症监护室、气管插管、机械通气、吸痰、糖皮质激素应用及碳青霉烯类、β-内酰胺类、喹诺酮类抗菌药物暴露可能是CRKP的独立危险因素。     

碳青霉烯类耐药肺炎克雷伯菌基因型检测研究

目的 分析碳青霉烯类耐药肺炎克雷伯菌(CRKP)不同基因型耐药性及临床特征差异，为临床预防及治疗CRKP感染提供参考。方法 回顾性分析我院2018年9月—2021年8月收治的56例分离出CRKP菌株患者的临床资料，检测其耐药基因，并分析不同基因型CRKP的耐药性和临床特征。结果 56株CRKP中检出47株KPC型耐药基因(83.93%)、9株NDM-1型耐药基因(16.07%),未检出IMP、VIM以及OXA-48耐药基因；耐药性分析结果发现，KPC和NMD-1型耐药基因对氨曲南耐药性差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);KPC和NMD-1型耐药基因对应患者年龄、性别、收治科室、标本来源分布情况、合并基础疾病、抗菌药物使用时间、3种及以上抗菌药物联用史、住院时间以及侵入性操作比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 CRKP基因型主要以KPC型最常见，不同基因型CRKP临床特征无明显差异，不同基因型CRKP对常用抗菌药物耐药性存在异质性，临床抗感染治疗需结合基因检测及耐药性分析制定合理方案。     

耐碳青霉烯肺炎克雷伯菌感染的危险因素及耐药机制的研究

目的 探讨耐碳青霉烯肺炎克雷伯菌感染的危险因素及耐药机制.方法 对我院2018年6月1日-2019年5月31日57例耐碳青霉烯肺炎克雷伯菌(CRKP)感染患者和70例碳青霉烯敏感肺炎克雷伯菌(CSKP)感染患者进行回顾性分析.结果 CRKP感染患者主要分布在呼吸科31.6％(18/57)、神经内科21.1％(12/57...     

重症监护病房耐碳青霉烯肺炎克雷伯菌感染情况的临床分析

目的了解我院重症医监护病房耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯(carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia,CRKP)感染患者的临床特点及抗生素耐药情况,为CRKP防控提供依据,指导临床用药。方法收集我院2015年10月至2015年12月期间重症监护病房患者临床资料,回顾性分析其临床基本情况、临床表现、治疗方案及预后情况。结果我科CRKP发生率为27.42%,CRKP患者多为高龄男性(平均年龄64.14±14.45岁,男性占78.57%),发热(肺克组85.71%vs.非肺克组51.35%、非感染组9.09%,χ~2=14.484,P=0.001)、白细胞总数(肺克组15.70±6.92 vs.非肺克组10.09±4.33、非感染组9.41±4.48×109/L,χ~2=9.980,P=0.007)、C反应蛋白(肺克组142.00(50.50,240.00)vs.非肺克组71.10(27.00,107.50)、非感染组14.10(5.00,53.30)mg/L,χ~2=9.387,P=0.009)及降钙素原(肺克组3.50(1.07,27.05)vs.非肺克组0.71(0.20,3.14)、非感染组0.20(0.20,0.30)μg/L,χ~2=16.236,P0.001)升高为主要表现,经替加环素联合碳青霉烯治疗后病死率(肺克组35.71%vs.非肺克组45.95%、非感染组36.36%,χ~2=0.607,P=0.738)无明显增高,但会延长住院时间(肺克组33.00(18.75,44.50)vs.非肺克组7.00(4.00,11.50)、非感染组9.00(4.00,13.00)天,χ~2=15.398,P0.001)、增加住院费用(肺克组23.92(10.14,36.08)vs.非肺克组4.41(2.64,11.22)、非感染组2.80(1.94,3.19)万元,χ~2=21.370,P0.001)。结论重症监护病房易出现CRKP流行,减少广谱抗生素的不规范使用和不必要的侵入性操作,及时调整抗感染方案,是控制CRPK流行、减轻临床负担的重要措施。     

重症监护室下呼吸道感染患者多重耐药肺炎克雷伯杆菌的危险因素及预后分析

目的 探讨重症医学科(intensive care unit,ICU)下呼吸道感染多重耐药肺炎克雷伯杆菌(multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae,MDR-KPN)耐药情况、感染的危险因素及其预后.方法 选择2018年1月至2019年12月我院ICU内住院的肺部感染患者164例...     

Active prophylactic management of respiratory obstruction after standard thyroidectomy for giant goitre in the middle belt region of Nigeria.

Respiratory obstruction is a lethal complication of thyroidectomy for giant goitre. Prophylactic tracheal splintage by retaining the endotracheal tube in situ for 24 h post-operatively and its meticulous management in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a safe and rewarding practice. Over a 7-year period, 33 patients, all women who had standard thyroidectomy for giant goitre were managed accordingly. There was no incidence of post-operative respiratory distress, nor mortality in the series. The average duration of stay in ICU was 2 days for all patients and the average hospital stay was 6 days for 27 of the 33 patients (81.8%). We suggest that judicious post-thyroidectomy management of giant goitre patients in ICU with endotracheal tube in situ for 24 h improves their survival chances.     

Ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection in children with febrile neutropenia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate prevalence of ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) in the pediatric oncology unit of University Hospital, Kuala, Lumpur, and to identify differences between febrile neutropenic pediatric patients with CRKP and ceftazidime-sensitive K. pneumoniae (CSKP) bacteremia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Febrile neutropenic patients treated between January 1996 and December 1997 at the pediatric oncology unit of University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, were prospectively studied. Empirical antibiotic therapy consisted of ceftazidime and amikacin. Those who developed K. pneumoniae bacteremia were identified, and clinical features analyzed. Ceftazidime-resistance was documented via disk-diffusion testing. Production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) was inferred on the basis of synergy between ceftazidime and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. The different features between the two groups and variables associated with the development of CRKP bacteremia were analyzed using chi-square and t-tests and calculation of odds ratios. A multivariate analysis was used to identify independent factors for CRKP development. RESULTS: Ceftazidime-resistance was seen in 51.6% of all K. pneumoniae isolates, and all these isolates were inferred to be ESBL producers. All isolates were sensitive to imipenem. Susceptibility to gentamicin was 90.5%. The mean continuous hospital stay prior to the detection of bacteremia was 13.7 days overall, but significantly longer in the CRKP group (21.9 d) compared to the CSKP group (4.3 d) (P = 0.003). Children with CRKP were more likely to have received antibiotics in the 2 weeks prior to detection of bacteremia (87.5% of cases) than the CSKP group (20.0% of cases) (P = 0.0008). Sepsis-related mortality was higher in those with CRKP (50.0%) than in the CSKP group (13.3%) (P = 0.02). Patients who did not receive CRKP-directed antibiotics within 48 hours of admission were more likely to have a fatal outcome than those who did (P = 0.009). Logistic regression analysis identified use of third-generation cephalosporins 2 weeks prior to presentation and a hospital stay of 2 weeks or more as independent risk factors for development of CRKP. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of total K. pneumoniae isolated from blood cultures in the unit were ceftazidime-resistant. Children with febrile neutropenia with prolonged hospital stay and recent prior antibiotic exposure are at high risk of developing CRKP bacteremia. Mortality was significantly higher in this group. Early commencement of appropriate antibiotics (e.g., imipenem with or without gentamicin), according to susceptibility study results, may be beneficial in such circumstances.     

Experience With the Use of Baricitinib and Tocilizumab Monotherapy or Combined,in Patients With Interstitial Pneumonia Secondary to Coronavirus COVID19: A Real-World Study

ObjectiveTo describe the experience of treatment with baricitinib (BARI) and/or tocilizumab (TCZ), in monotherapy or combined, in patients admitted for interstitial pneumonia secondary to COVID19, and for 30 days after discharge.MethodsMedical records of patients admitted with COVID19 and IP with PaO₂/FiO₂ < 300, treated with BARI and/or TCZ, and compared with patients who did not, were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsSixty patients were included; 43 (72%) are males, mean age 67 (SD: 14) years (<50 years: 17%; 51–70: 30%; >70: 53%), with 8.5 (SD: 1) days of symptoms. Sixteen (27%) patients required ICU (94% in <70 years). Fifteen (25%) patients died, 67% in >70 years; 11 (18%) patients died in the first 15 days of admission and 4 (7%) between days 16 to 30. Twenty-three (38%) patients received BARI, 12 (52%) monotherapy (Group 1), during 6 (SD: 2.6) days on average, none required ICU and 2 (17%) died. Thirty-one (52%) patients received TCZ, 20 (33%) as monotherapy (Group 2), 16 (52%) patients required ICU and 4 (20%) died. In the 11 (18%) patients who received BARI (2.8 [SD: 2.5] days average) and TCZ combined (Group 3), 3 (27%) required ICU and died. There were no severe side effects in BARI or TCZ patients. In the 17 (28%) patients who received neither BARI nor TCZ (Group 4), none required ICU and 6 (35%) died. Mean (SD) PaO₂/FiO₂ at admission between groups was respectively: 167 (82.3), 221 (114.9), 236 (82.3), 276 (83.2).ConclusionTreatment with BARI and TCZ did not cause serious side effects. They could be considered early in patients with NI secondary to COVID19 and impaired PaO2/PaFi.     

The influence of inadequate antimicrobial treatment of bloodstream infections on patient outcomes in the ICU setting

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the adequacy of antimicrobial treatment for bloodstream infections and clinical outcomes among patients requiring ICU admission. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A medical ICU (19 beds) and a surgical ICU (18 beds) from a university-affiliated urban teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Between July 1997 and July 1999, 492 patients were prospectively evaluated. INTERVENTION: Prospective patient surveillance and data collection. RESULTS: One hundred forty-seven patients (29.9%) received inadequate antimicrobial treatment for their bloodstream infections. The hospital mortality rate of patients with a bloodstream infection receiving inadequate antimicrobial treatment (61.9%) was statistically greater than the hospital mortality rate of patients with a bloodstream infection who received adequate antimicrobial treatment (28.4%; relative risk, 2. 18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77 to 2.69; p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the administration of inadequate antimicrobial treatment as an independent determinant of hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 6.86; 95% CI, 5.09 to 9.24; p < 0.001). The most commonly identified bloodstream pathogens and their associated rates of inadequate antimicrobial treatment included vancomycin-resistant enterococci (n = 17; 100%), Candida species (n = 41; 95.1%), oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 46; 32.6%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 96; 21.9%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 22; 10.0%). A statistically significant relationship was found between the rates of inadequate antimicrobial treatment for individual microorganisms and their associated rates of hospital mortality (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.8287; p = 0.006). Multiple logistic regression analysis also demonstrated that a bloodstream infection attributed to Candida species (AOR, 51.86; 95% CI, 24.57 to 109.49; p < 0.001), prior administration of antibiotics during the same hospitalization (AOR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.58 to 2.74; p = 0.008), decreasing serum albumin concentrations (1-g/dL decrements) (AOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.56; p = 0.014), and increasing central catheter duration (1-day increments) (AOR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.04; p = 0.008) were independently associated with the administration of inadequate antimicrobial treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of inadequate antimicrobial treatment to critically ill patients with bloodstream infections is associated with a greater hospital mortality compared with adequate antimicrobial treatment of bloodstream infections. These data suggest that clinical efforts should be aimed at reducing the administration of inadequate antimicrobial treatment to hospitalized patients with bloodstream infections, especially individuals infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and Candida species.     

Effect of corticosteroids on adult varicella pneumonia: cohort study and literature review

BACKGROUND: Varicella pneumonia (VP) is a serious entity associated with morbidity and mortality. There have been sporadic reports using corticosteroids in life-threatening VP. We report a case series of VP to examine the outcome and the effect of corticosteroid use. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on all adult patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital with VP during a 14-year period. We documented oxygenation (SpO2, PaO2/FIO2) on admission and after 48 h, whether the patients were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), the use of mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS) and patient outcome. We compared those patients who received corticosteroids with those who did not. RESULTS: We identified 19 patients with VP. Ten received corticosteroids, in addition to antiviral and supportive treatment. Patients who received corticosteroids were significantly more hypoxaemic on admission and all were admitted to ICU with seven of them intubated. Only two of the nine in non-steroid group were intubated. Despite their greater severity, the corticosteroid group showed a much more rapid improvement in oxygenation and a trend towards shorter duration of mechanical ventilation. The duration of ICU and hospital LOS were not significantly different. All patients survived. CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroids in severe VP accelerate the physiological recovery and may shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation.