Open AccessThe presence of antibiotic‐resistant nosocomial pathogens in endotracheal tube biofilms and corresponding surveillance cultures
Author(s) -
Vandecandelaere Ilse,
Matthijs Nele,
Nelis Hans J.,
Depuydt Pieter,
Coenye Tom
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pathogens and disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.983
H-Index - 105
ISSN - 2049-632X
DOI - 10.1111/2049-632x.12100
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , pseudomonas aeruginosa , staphylococcus epidermidis , enterobacter aerogenes , biofilm , antibiotics , ventilator associated pneumonia , staphylococcus aureus , biology , acinetobacter , pneumonia , klebsiella pneumonia , micrococcus luteus , candida albicans , sputum , antibiotic resistance , medicine , bacteria , escherichia coli , tuberculosis , biochemistry , genetics , pathology , gene
Abstract Mechanically ventilated patients often develop ventilator‐associated pneumonia ( VAP ). Soon after intubation, a mixed biofilm harboring microbial pathogens is formed on the endotracheal tube ( ET ). It is believed that this biofilm contributes to the development of VAP . Unfortunately, the causative agent is often not known at the time VAP is suspected, and early therapy often relies on the identification of surveillance cultures ( SC ). It is thus important to know whether these SC can predict the microbial flora in ET biofilms. In this study, we compare the presence of a number of antibiotic‐resistant nosocomial bacteria ( E nterobacter aerogenes , E scherichia coli , M icrococcus luteus , P seudomonas aeruginosa , S taphylococcus aureus , and S taphylococcus epidermidis ) and of C andida albicans in cultures from ET biofilms and SC (i.e. sputum samples, nose swabs, and throat swabs) of 20 mechanically ventilated patients. Our data indicate that there is a good correlation between the presence of (antibiotic‐resistant) pathogens in ET biofilms and SC .