Lcr35 / ICU / P. Aeruginosa

Preventing carriage of potentially pathogenic micro-organisms from the aerodigestive tract is an infection control strategy used to reduce the occurrence of nosocomial infections - including ventilator-assisted pneumonia - in intensive care units. The use of antibiotics is controversial and can lead to adverse effect such as the selection of highly resistant pathogens. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of oral administration of a probiotic strain, Lactobacillus, on gastric and respiratory tract colonisation/infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, according to the concept that an indigenous flora has a protective effect against secondary colonisation.