Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
Oral care and oropharyngeal and tracheal colonization by Gram-negative pathogens in children
Denise Miyuki Kusahara1, Lais Tambelli Friedlander, Maria Angélica Sorgini Peterlini
1Pediatric Nursing Department, Escola Paulista de Enfermagem - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. dkusahara@unifesp.br
Background:
Critical care nursing interventions to oral care can reduce microorganisms in the oropharynx available for translocation.
Objectives:
To analyse the effect of 0·12% chlorhexidine digluconate on the colonization of oropharyngeal and tracheal secretions by Gram-negative pathogens in mechanically ventilated children.
Methods:
A randomized, controlled and double-blinded study was performed in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a Brazilian university hospital. Exclusion criteria included child age under 28 days, pneumonia diagnosis at admission, use of tracheostomy, PICU length of stay (LOS) less than 48 h and refusal to participate. Children were randomly allocated to the interventional group (IG), in which oral care with chlorhexidine was administered, or to the placebo group (PG), which received oral care without antiseptic use. The data were analysed through Pearson's χ(2) test, Fisher's exact and ANOVA tests with significance levels set at 0·05.
Results:
The demographic characteristics of the 74 children were not statistically different between groups. No between-group differences in oropharyx colonization by Gram-negative pathogens were identified (p = 0·316). Pathogens were isolated in the tracheal secretions of two (10·0%) children in the PG and four (19·0%) children in the IG (p = 0·355).
Conclusion:
The use of chlorhexidine did not significantly influence the colonization of oropharyngeal and tracheal secretions by Gram-negative pathogens of the studied sample.
Relevance To Clinical Practice:
This study demonstrated no influence of a specific antiseptic agent on colonization profile of mechanically ventilated children in PICU. Further research in this field is necessary to promote evidence-based nursing practice on oral care of critically ill children.
Related Concept Videos
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
Development of the Oral Microbiota
The Oral Microbiota
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Development of Human Microbiota

