Probiotic Use to Reduce Bad Bacteria in Intubated Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Klarin Bengt, Molin Göran, Jeppsson Bengt, Larsson Anders
Primary Institution: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
Hypothesis
The probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum 299 (Lp299) would be as efficient as chlorhexidine (CHX) in reducing the pathogenic bacterial load in the oropharynx of tracheally intubated, mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients.
Conclusion
The study found no significant difference between the effects of Lp299 and CHX on colonization of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the oropharynx of intubated patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Potentially pathogenic bacteria were found in 8 patients treated with Lp299 and 13 treated with CHX.
- Lp299 was recovered from the oropharynx of all patients in the Lp299 group.
- The study indicated that Lp299 might lower the rate of infection with harmful microbes.
Takeaway
Doctors tested a probiotic to see if it could help keep bad bacteria away from patients on ventilators, but it worked just as well as the usual mouthwash.
Methodology
Fifty critically ill patients were randomized to receive either chlorhexidine or Lactobacillus plantarum 299 after oral mechanical cleansing, with microbiological samples taken for analysis.
Limitations
The study was not powered to assess differences in the frequency of VAP and did not perform surveillance blood cultures.
Participant Demographics
Patients were critically ill, aged 18 or older, and required mechanical ventilation for at least 24 hours.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.13
Statistical Significance
p = 0.13
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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