Aspiration Pneumonia

Aspiration Pneumonia occurs due to abnormal entry of fluid, particulateexogenous substances or endogenous secretions into the lower airways. It is of two types namely chemical Aspiration Pneumonia and bacterial Aspiration Pneumonia. Some of predisposing factors are reduced consiousness,dysphagia of the upper gastrointestinal tract including esophageal disease, surgery involving the upper airways or oesophagus and gastric reflux, mechanical disruption of the glottic closure or cardiac sphincter due to tracheotomy ,endotracheal intubation, bronchoscopy, upper endoscopy and nasogastric feeding, miscellaneous conditions such as protracted vomiting, large volume tube feeding and feeding gastrostomy.Chemical aspiration pneumonia occurs due to aspiration of substances that are toxic to the lower airways, independent of bacterial infection. It includes chemical pneumonitis associated with the aspiration with the aspiration of gastric acid. Clinical features of chemical aspiration pneumonia are symptoms with low grade fever and prominent dysponea, examination reveals cyanosis and diffuse crepitations, chest radiograph shows infiltrates involving dependent pulmonary segments which usually develop within 2 hours of aspiration. Bacterial aspiration pneumonia is caused by bacteria that normally reside in the upper stomach. Some of the clinical features are in most cases involve anaerobic bacteria that normally reside in the gingival crevices, many patients have accompanying weight loss and anaemia caused by chronic process. Diagnosis of bacterial aspiration pneumonia re presence of putrid discharge in sputum or pleural fluid is regarded as diagnostic of anaerobic infection, chest radiograph shows involvement of dependent pulmonary segments which are favored in aspiration. Some treatments to overcome bacterial aspiration pneumonia are penicillin should prefer to the patients, Clindamvcin is now the preferred drug for anaerobic infections above the diaphragm including pulmonary infections