• Mirelle Koeman, Andre J A M van der Ven, Eelko Hak, Hans C A Joore, Karin Kaasjager, Annemarie G A de Smet, Graham Ramsay, Tom P J Dormans, Leon P H J Aarts, Ernst E de Bel, Willem N M Hustinx, Ingeborg van der Tweel, Andy M Hoepelman, and Marc J M Bonten.
• University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, and Department of Internal Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Rijnstate Hospital Arnhem, The Netherlands. groenendijk-koeman@wanadoo.nl
• Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2006 Jun 15;173(12):1348-55.

RationaleVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most frequently occurring nosocomial infection associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Although oral decontamination with antibiotics reduces incidences of VAP, it is not recommended because of potential selection of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. We hypothesized that oral decontamination with either chlorhexidine (CHX, 2%) or CHX/colistin (CHX/COL, 2%/2%) would reduce and postpone development of VAP, and oral and endotracheal colonization.ObjectivesTo determine the effect of oral decontamination with CHX or CHX/COL on VAP incidence and time to development of VAP.MethodsConsecutive patients needing mechanical ventilation for 48 h or more were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with three arms: CHX, CHX/COL, and placebo (PLAC). Trial medication was applied every 6 h into the buccal cavity. Oropharyngeal swabs were obtained daily and quantitatively analyzed for gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. Endotracheal colonization was monitored twice weekly.ResultsOf 385 patients included, 130 received PLAC, 127 CHX and 128 CHX/COL. Baseline characteristics were comparable. The daily risk of VAP was reduced in both treatment groups compared with PLAC: 65% (hazard ratio [HR]=0.352; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.160, 0. 791; p=0.012) for CHX and 55% (HR=0.454; 95% CI, 0.224, 0. 925; p=0.030) for CHX/COL. CHX/COL provided significant reduction in oropharyngeal colonization with both gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms, whereas CHX mostly affected gram-positive microorganisms. Endotracheal colonization was reduced for CHX/COL patients and to a lesser extent for CHX patients. No differences in duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, or intensive care unit survival could be demonstrated.ConclusionsTopical oral decontamination with CHX or CHX/COL reduces the incidence of VAP.

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