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Volume 7, Number 2—April 2001
THEME ISSUE
4th Decennial International Conference on Nosocomial and Healthcare-Associated Infections
Prevention is Primary

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia or Not? Contemporary Diagnosis

C. Glen MayhallComments to Author 
Author affiliation: University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA

Main Article

Table

Quantitative cultures and microscopic examination of lower respiratory tract secretions in the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumoniaa

Diagnostic techniques Sensitivity Specificity Positive predictive value Negative predictive value
PSBb cultures (>103 CFU/mL) 82% 89% 90% 89%
BAL cultures (>104 CFU/mL) 91% 78% 83% 87%
Microscopic examination of BAL fluid (>5% intracellular organisms) 91% 89% 91% 89%

aFrom ref 10. bPSB = protected specimen brush; BAL = bronchoalveolar lavage.

Main Article

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The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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