To investigate the pathogen distribution and risk factors of pulmonary infection after acute cervical spinal cord injury(ACSCI)in an attempt to offer reference for early anti-infection therapy.

The study comprised 223 cases who were admitted from October 2011 to October 2014. There were 149 males and 74 females, at(43.3±13.5)years of age. Species of pathogens identified were gram-positive, gram-negative and mixed. Effects of age, gender, injury types and tracheotomy on pathogen distribution were analyzed.

Gram-negative infection was found in 114 cases(51.1%), with tracheotomy accounting for 7.0% of the cases and death accounting for 1.8% of the cases, and the main causative pathogens were Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Gram-positive infection was found in 41 cases(18.4%), with tracheotomy accounting for 12.2% of the cases and death accounting for 7.3% of the cases, and the main causative pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia. Mixed infection was found in 68 cases(30.5%), with tracheotomy accounting for 22.1% of the cases and death accounting for 13.2% of the cases. Gender had no significant correlation with pathogen distribution. For the cases of complete spinal cord injury and tracheotomy, the ratio of mixed infection increased significantly(P<0.05). For the cases younger than 30 years, the pathogens were mainly gram-positive bacteria(P<0.05).

Main pathogens of pulmonary infection after ACSCI are gram-negative bacteria. The cases younger than 30 years are associated with higher risk of gram-positive infection, while the cases with complete injury or tracheotomy are associated with higher risk of mixed infection.

Spinal cord injuries; Lung diseases; Pathogen