A probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus plantarum 299, has been used to out-compete the dangerous bacteria that cause respiratory illness in ventilated patients.
Research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Critical Care describes how applying a bacterial solution in place of normal antiseptics is effective in preventing the most common cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
Bengt Klarin from the University Hospital in Lund, Sweden, led a team of researchers who carried out a randomised, controlled trial in fifty patients, comparing friendly bacteria to the normally used antiseptic chlorhexidine (CHX). Klarin said, "We hypothesised that swabbing the mouth with probiotics would be an effective (and microbiologically attractive) method of reducing pathogenic oral microorganisms in intubated, mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients."
VAP is a common complication in patients on breathing machines. It occurs when harmful bacteria from the mouth, throat or breathing tube are inhaled into the lungs. Because most people on ventilation are sedated or unable to communicate, initial symptoms of pneumonia can be difficult to spot. According to Klarin, "VAP is connected with longer intensive care and hospital stays, additional costs and high mortality. The risk of developing this condition increases by 1% with each additional day of mechanical ventilation."