Table 2 Risk factors for spesific microorganisms

H. influenzae, Moraxella catarhalis, S. pneumoniae

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), early-onset VAP

P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii

Corticosteroid therapy, malnutrition, lung disease (bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis), late-onset VAP, prior antibiotic exposure

S. aureus

Coma, head-trauma, neurosurgery, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal insufficiency, influenza

Anaerobes

Aspiration

Legionella

Chemotherapy, corticosteroid therapy, malignancy, renal insufficiency, neutropenia, contamination of (hospital) water system

Aspergillus

Corticosteroid therapy, cytotoxic drugs, COPD

Candida albicans

Immunosuppression, cytotoxic drugs, corticosteroid therapy, broad-spectrum antibiotics

Influenza

Winter season, immunosuppression, chronic underlying disease

Respiratory syncytial virus

Immunosuppression, chronic cardiac or pulmonary disease