Aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia in the ICU setting and its effect on mortality, length of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay: a 1-year retrospective review

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the most common infectious reason for admission to ICUs and has mortality of up to 37% [ 1 ]. Highest mortality rates are in Gram-negative infections with lower rates in Streptococcus pneumoniae and viral infections [ 2 ]. Microbiology is difficult to establish with most prospective studies identifying agents in only 50% of cases [ 3 ]. We analysed microbial aetiology of CAP in ICU over 1 year and assessed its effects on inpatient mortality, length of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay.