Biomarkers in the Diagnosis of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Vimal      Grover; Neil      Soni; Peter      Kelleher; Suveer      Singh

Abstract

Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is a common nosocomial infection in the ICU. Diagnosis based on best available criteria remains difficult. Current and novel biomarkers have the potential to speed up and improve the accuracy of its diagnosis. This review highlights the markers that have gained the most attention to date and aims to discuss the challenges faced in introducing them at the bedside.

Keywords: Biomarker, C-reactive protein, diagnosis, elastin fibres, endotoxin, procalcitonin, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1, ventilator-associated pneumonia