Probiotics May Stave Off Pneumonia

LUND, Sweden—According to a recent study from the University Hospital in Lund, Sweden, the bacterial strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299 may protect intubated, critically-ill patients from ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) just as effectively as antiseptics, such as chlorhexidine (CHX), or antibiotics. VAP, often found in patients on breathing machines, occurs when harmful bacteria from the mouth, throat or breathing tube are inhaled into the lungs.

Fifty critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation were randomized to either oral mechanical cleansing followed by washing with 0.1% CHX solution or to the same cleansing procedure followed by oral application of an emulsion of Lp299. Samples for microbiological analyses were taken from the oropharynx and from the trachea at inclusion and thereafter at defined intervals.

Potentially pathogenic bacteria that were not present at inclusion were identified in oropharyngeal samples from eight of the patients treated with Lp299 and thirteen of those treated with CHX (p = 0.13). Analysis of tracheal samples yielded similar results. Lp299 was recovered from the oropharynx of all patients in the Lp299 group. Rersearchers concluded there was no difference between Lp299 and CHX when used in oral care procedures.

Study: