Is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus a common pathogen in ventilation-associated pneumonia?: The experience of a tertiary teaching hospital in Jordan

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a life threatening device related infection in intensive care units. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is considered a common contagious pathogen causing pneumonia and sepsis. To assess the prevalence of S aureus in comparison to other pathogens, and their antibacterial sensitivity profile in ventilator-associated pneumonia. Data regarding ventilator-associated pneumonia of adults admitted to the intensive care unit, at the Jordan University of Science and Technology Hospital, between 2012 and 2018 were extracted from the computerized system. Microorganisms and their susceptibility profiles were identified according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. There were 547 isolates, of which 35 (6.4%) were Gram positive, 59% were methicillin resistant. Gram-negative isolates were present in 507 (92.6%) isolates, of which 82% were multidrug resistant, and 1% were Candida species. Gram-negative bacterial infections were significantly associated with ventilation usage. S aureus was not the predominant pathogen.