Probiotic Prophylaxis for Microbiome Modulation and Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) or Severe Infections Prevention in Multitrauma Patients: a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

Detailed Summary

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), is a type of pneumonia that develops more than 48 hours after endotracheal intubation, is common in intensive care units (ICUs). It is estimated to be responsible for 27% to 47% of ICU-acquired infections. The pathogenesis of VAP is complex but typically involves colonization of the aerodigestive tract with pathogenic bacteria, the formation of biofilms, and microaspiration of contaminated secretions. Preventing carriage of potentially pathogenic micro-organisms from the aerodigestive tract is an infection control strategy used to reduce the occurrence of VAP. One novel intervention is the administration of prophylactic probiotics which restore non-pathogenic flora that compete with pathogens, modulate local and systemic immunity, and decrease intestinal permeability and thus can be beneficial in preventing nosocomial infections in critically ill patients. The role of the probiotics in preventing VAP in mechanically ventilated patients is inconclusive. Some evidence indicates that probiotics may reduce the incidence of VAP by inhibiting pathogen adhesion, improving gut mucosal barrier function, reducing bacterial translocation and up-regulating the immune system. Furthermore, guidelines remain inconclusive regarding the role of commensal oropharyngeal flora (COF) as a causative agent in VAP, mainly due to a scarcity of studies in this research field. However, there is evidence that COF may cause pulmonary infection, mostly in immunocompromised patients.

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