Prevention of colonization and infection in critically ill patients: a prospective randomized study

In a prospective randomized study to determine whether prevention of colonization of Gram-negative bacteria results in prevention of Gram-negative bacterial infections, 96 intensive care patients were randomly allocated into a control group and a study group. The study group received oral nonabsorbable antimicrobial agents (i.e., tobramycin, amphotericin B, and polymyxin E) in addition to parenteral antibiotics. Colonization with Gram-negative microorganisms in the oropharynx, and respiratory and digestive tracts increased in the control group during their stay, while the study group did not tend to colonize with Gram-negative bacteria. In the control group, 107 nosocomial infections were diagnosed, vs. 42 nosocomial infections in the study group. Nosocomial infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria were significantly less frequent in the study group. Mortality due to an acquired infection was significantly less frequent in the study group. We conclude that colonization, infection, and subsequent mortality by nosocomial Gram-negative bacteria can be prevented by a regime of topically applied nonabsorbable antibiotics.