Microbiological profile and sensitivity pattern of endotracheal secretions in mechanically ventilated patients

Abstract

Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation are life-saving procedures done on emergency or elective basis to prevent or combat respiratory failure. Many clinical conditions warrant need for ventilatory support like, life threatening infections, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndromes, neurological dysfunctions due to poisoning, drug toxicity, cerebrovascular accidents, trauma and others. The presence of an endotracheal tube in the airway, although critical for the management of the mechanically ventilated patient, also contributes to the development of ventilator associated pneumonia by disrupting normal protective mechanism which is associated with the intraluminal formation of biofilm by multidrug resistant organisms. Hence in our study endotracheal secretions were sent for bacteriological culture and sensitivity on the first day of intubation to identify the organisms that already existed at the time of intubation which would help in initiating and or modifying antibiotic therapy appropriately.