HAP/VAP Diagnosis in Critically Ill Septic Patients Using a Multiplex PCR Array

Within 1 hour from HAP or VAP suspicion, quantitative tracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage will be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Clinicians will be encouraged to perform BAL whenever possible

The lower tract respiratory samples will be analyzed with Multiplex PCR assay (Film-array Pneumonia Plus).

The lower tract respiratory samples will be analyzed using convention microbiological methods (including conventional Gram stain and semiquantitative culture on both selective/differential and screening agar media)

When HAP or VAP are suspected, blood samples from peripheral vein will be collected and analyzed with conventional microbiological methods