[Nosocomial pneumonia].

Second cause of nosocomial infections and certainly the most serious, pneumonia concerns nearly 1% of all hospitalized patients. The need for intensive care, especially mechanical ventilation, is the leading risk factor for acquiring nosocomial pneumonia. Clinical and radiological data are contributive but insufficient for diagnosis and correct selection of antibiotics. Many germs are potentially accountable for these diseases, especially Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus. The endobronchial protected brush has been considered as the gold standard for diagnosis by the fifth consensus report of SRDLF (Société de Réanimation de Langue Française). Other methods are currently proposed which are less traumatic, cheaper, easier to use and give quicker results, but their sensitivity and specificity are debated. The bacteriological results of these searches are precious guides to choose curative antibiotics. The prevention of nosocomial pneumonia has become an accepted priority for public health.