What question did this study set out to answer?

To describe the incidence, causative microorganisms, and risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia in COVID-19 patients.

January 14, 2026Open Access

P-1656. Incidence, characteristics, and risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients with COVID-19

Key Points

To describe the incidence, causative microorganisms, and risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia in COVID-19 patients.
Retrospective cohort study with nested case-control design
Conducted across five ICUs in Medellín and Rionegro, Colombia
Analyzed critically ill COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours
VAP diagnosis followed IDSA/ATS criteria and used conditional logistic regression for risk factor analysis.
Cumulative incidence of VAP was 43.65% among 449 patients
Predominant pathogens included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus
High SOFA score (≥4) was a significant risk factor for VAP (OR 90.77)
Renal replacement therapy showed unexpected association with lower VAP risk (OR 0.51)

Abstract

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 infections have increased the incidence of ventilator- associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill patients compared to other viral pneumonias. This study aims to describe the incidence, causative microorganisms, and risk factors associated with VAP in COVID-19 patients.Univariate analysisMultivariate analysis Methods A retrospective cohort study with a nested case-control design was conducted across five ICUs in Medellín and Rionegro, Colombia, from March to December 2020. Eligible participants included critically ill COVID-19 patients over 18 years old who had been on invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours. VAP diagnosis followed the Infectious Diseases Society of America and American Thoracic Society (IDSA/ATS) criteria, requiring microbiological, radiological, respiratory, and systemic indicators. Each VAP case was matched to a control by mechanical ventilation duration within ±1 day to account for time-dependent confounding. Data on patient demographics, comorbidities, treatments, and microbiological profiles were collected and analyzed. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for VAP. Results Among the 449 patients, 196 developed VAP, for a cumulative incidence of 43.65% and an incidence density of 37.3/1,000 ventilator days. The predominant pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (37.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.8%), and Staphylococcus aureus (9.4%). A SOFA score of ≥4 was identified as a significant risk factor (OR 90.77, 95% CI 12.40–664.25), while renal replacement therapy was unexpectedly associated with a lower VAP risk (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.27–0.96). Conclusion This study reveals a high VAP incidence among COVID-19 patients, with rates exceeding those reported for non-COVID ICU populations. The predominance of Gram-negative bacteria aligns with global data, though local resistance patterns suggest the need for tailored empirical therapies. The strong association between high SOFA scores and VAP highlights the influence of severe disease on infection risk. Further research is needed to explore the unexpected association of renal replacement therapy with lower risk. These findings inform targeted VAP prevention and treatment strategies in COVID-19 patients, promoting rational antibiotic use based on local microbiology. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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