Colonização bacteriana na cavidade bucal por patógenos causadores da pneumonia associada à ventilação

Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a health-care-related infection that has challenged hospital infection control agencies because it is associated with high mortality rates and major challenges in preventing it. Researches seek to find ways to reduce VAP rates and consequently reduce length of hospital stay and hospital costs. This study aimed to identify the pulmonary bacterial etiology of PAV correlating with pathogenic bacteria of the oral cavity in patients submitted to oral hygiene (OH) with chlorhexidine 0.12%. Quantitative culture of the tracheal aspirate (AT) and culture of the buccal cavity (BC) were performed in patients diagnosed with VAP, in 10 beds of the Intensive Care Unit of the Regional Hospital of Gurupi - Tocantins. In the 1-year period the sample consisted of 30 patients, 18 of whom were submitted to OH with chlorhexidine and 12 to OH with distilled water. In the chlorhexidine group, 5 patients (27,7%) presented positive BC versus 12 in the distilled water group (100%). In relation to AT, 17 patients presented a positive culture with the following frequency: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21,4%), Citrobacter freundii (21,4%), Acinetobacter baumanni (14,2%), Hafnia alvei (14.2%), Klebsiella sp (14,2%), Burkholderia cepacia (7,4%) and Asburial Enterobacter (7,4%). In 2 patients the same microorganism was found in both, AT and BC (Citrobacter freundii). It was concluded that the oral cavity may be a reservoir of potential PAV pathogens and 0,12% chlorhexidine may be an effective method of bacterial control in this environment.