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Updated: Feb 2, 2026
Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
Oropharyngeal Irrigation to Prevent Ventilator-Associated-Pneumonia: Comparing Potassium Permangenate with
Mohsen Meidani1,2, Farzin Khorvash3, Saeed Abbasi4
1Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Background:
Pneumonia is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections among bedridden patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Colonization of mouth and pharynx by pathogenic bacteria and their aspiration into the lower respiratory tract is an important step in pathogenesis of hospital-acquired pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of chlorhexidine and potassium permanganate mouthwashes in preventing incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized patients in the ICU.
Methods:
This study is a clinical trial, conducted on 150 patients on ventilator in ICU. Patients were divided into three groups: Chlorhexidine group, potassium permanganate group, and control group. Mouthwashing three times a day, each time 5 min for 1 week by sterile gas with 10 cc solution of chlorhexidine, potassium permanganate, or placebo, was performed. Finally, pneumonia incidence was recorded, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 20.
Results:
In the present study, 28 cases of pneumonia among 150 patients on ventilator were investigated. There were 15 (30%), 6 (12%), and 7 (14%) incidences of pneumonia in control, chlorhexidine, and permanganate group, respectively. Pneumonia incidence in these groups differed significantly (P = 0.041).
Conclusions:
The use of common mouthwashes, especially chlorhexidine solution, for washing oropharynx of ICU patients, can decrease pneumonia incidence, especially in patients under ventilation. Thus, washing and sterilizing mouth of patients with mouthwashes is recommended due to the high risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia in these patients.
Insights
Chlorhexidine mouthwash significantly reduced hospital-acquired pneumonia in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. This study recommends routine oropharyngeal sterilization for ventilated patients to prevent pneumonia.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Oral Hygiene
Background:
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a common infection in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients.
- Oropharyngeal colonization by bacteria is a key step in HAP pathogenesis.
- Effective preventative strategies are crucial for high-risk patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of chlorhexidine and potassium permanganate mouthwashes in preventing HAP.
- To evaluate the impact of oral hygiene interventions on pneumonia incidence in ICU settings.
Main Methods:
- A clinical trial involving 150 ventilated ICU patients.
- Three groups: chlorhexidine, potassium permanganate, and placebo mouthwash.
- Mouthwashes administered for 5 minutes, three times daily for one week.
Main Results:
- Pneumonia incidence was 30% (control), 12% (chlorhexidine), and 14% (potassium permanganate).
- A statistically significant difference in pneumonia incidence was observed between groups (P=0.041).
Conclusions:
- Chlorhexidine mouthwash effectively reduces pneumonia incidence in ICU patients.
- Oropharyngeal sterilization with mouthwashes is recommended for ventilated patients at high risk of HAP.
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