Background:

Limited information is available regarding the risk factors and microorganisms associated with healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

Objective:

To analyze the clinical factors related to HCAP and identify the predominant microorganisms.

Materials and methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with GBS treated between March 2020 and June 2022. HCAP was defined based on clinical, radiological, or laboratory findings after 48 hours of hospitalization. Risk factors were analyzed using a multivariable model, expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Model performance was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) analysis.

Results:

A total of 134 patients were included, 75.4% of whom were male, with a mean age of 44.7 years. Mechanical invasive ventilation (MIV) was required in 28.4% of cases, and 18.6% developed nosocomial pneumonia. Significant risk factors included an MRC score ≤ 20 (OR: 5.5; 95% CI: 1.5-20.1; p = 0.009) and the use of MIV (OR: 95; 95%CI: 12-749; p < 0.001). The model demonstrated an AUC of 0.94 (95%: CI: 0.90-0.98; p < 0.001). The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus (52%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13%).

Conclusions:

An MRC score ≤ 20 and the use of MIV are risk factors for HCAP in patients with GBS. S. aureus was the predominant microorganism.