Endotracheal tube microbiome in hospitalized patients defined largely by hospital environment. Respir Res.
Rojas JA, Álvarez-Moreno CA. 24/06/2022
Background
Studies of the respiratory tract microbiome primarily focus on airway and lung microbial diversity, but it is still unclear how these microbial communities may be affected by intubation and long periods in intensive care units (ICU), an aspect that today could aid in the understanding of COVID19 progression and disease severity. This study aimed to explore and characterize the endotracheal tube (ETT) microbiome by analyzing ETT-associated microbial communities.
Conclusion
These results suggest that the ICU environment, or medical practices, could be a key to microbial colonization and have a direct influence on the ETT microbiomes of patients that require mechanical ventilation.