Table 1

Clinical criteria used in diagnosing ventilator-associated pneumonia

Johanson criteria
• Presence of a new or progressive radiographic infiltrate

• Plus at least two of three clinical features:

     - fever > 38°C

     - leukocyto sis or leukopeni

     - purulent secretions


• Temperature
• Oxygenation (PaO2/FiO2)
• Tracheal secretions (score)

- 0 point: 36.5–38.4 C
- 0 point: PaO2/FiO2 > 240 or ARDS
-0 point: < 14

- 1 point: 38.5–38.9
- 2 points: PaO2/FiO2 < 240 and no evidence of ARDS
-1 point: > 14

- 2 points: < 36 or > 39

-2 points: purulent sputum
Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS)
• Blood leukocytes (cells/μL)

• Culture of tracheal aspirate

- 0 point: 4000–11000

-0 point: minimal or no growth

- 1 point: < 4000 or > 11000

-1 point: moderate or more growth

- 2 points: > 500 band forms

-2 points: moderate or greater growth


• Pulmonary radiography



-0 point: no infiltrate



- 1 point: diffuse or patchy infiltrates



- 2 points: localized infiltrate


Total score of > 6 points suggests ventilator-associated pneumonia

ARDS = acute respiratory distress syndrome

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Radiology signs
• Clinical signs


Two or more serial chest radiographs with at least 1 of the following:
At least 1 of the following:


- new or progressi ve and persistent infiltrate
- fever (temperat ure > 38 C)


- consolidation
- leukopeni a (< 4000 WBC) or leukocyto sis (> 12000 WBC)


- cavitation
- altered mental status, for adults 70 years or older, with no other recognized cause


• Microbiological criteria



At least one of the following:
Plus at least 2 of the following:-


- positive growth in blood culture not related to another source of infection
- new onset of purulent sputum, or change in character of sputum


- positive growth in culture or pleural field
- increased respiratory secretions, or increased suctioning requirements


- positive quantitati ve culture from bronchoal veolar lavage (> 104) or protected specimen brushing (> 103)
- new-onset or worsening cough, or dyspnea, or tachypnea


- five percent or more of cells with intracellul ar bacteria on direct microsco pic examinati on of Gram-stained bronchoal veolar lavage fluid
- rales or bronchial sounds


- histopathological evidence of pneumonia
- worsening gas exchange



- increased oxygen requirements


Rea-Neto et al. Critical Care 2008 12:R56   doi:10.1186/cc6877