Oral care for intubated patients in the intensive care unit: examination of bacterial count and microbiota.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) after tracheal intubation is a major infectious complication in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), with an incidence of 8-28%. Oral care in the ICU is essential; however, the presence of an intubation tube and restricted mouth opening cause complications. A healthy commensal microflora in the oral cavity resists colonization by respiratory pathogens, and poor oral hygiene may increase the risk for VAP. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of oral care on oral bacterial counts and microbial diversity in patients admitted to the ICU.

Methods

Fifteen ICU patients were included in this study. Oral microbiome samples were collected by swabbing the surface of the tongue. Oral bacterial counts were measured at four ti

SUBMITTER: Kanamori D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12288309 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature