Optimizing Diagnosis and Management of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Systematic Evaluation of Biofilm Detection Methods and Bacterial Colonization on Endotracheal Tubes

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia and biofilm formation on intubation cannulas, impose significant burdens on hospitals, affecting staffing, finances, and patient wellbeing, while also increasing the risk of patient mortality. We propose a research study aimed at exploring various methodologies for detecting these infections, discovered in the biofilm on medical devices, particularly tracheal cannulas, and understanding the role of each method in comprehending these infections from an etiological perspective. Our investigation also involves an analysis of the types of endotracheal tubes utilized in each case, the bacteria species identified, and strategies for combating biofilm-associated infections. The potential impact of our research is the substantial improvement of patient care through enhanced diagnosis and management of these infections.

Keywords: biofilm; endotracheal tube (ETT); intensive care; ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Figure 1

PRISMA flow diagram.

Figure 2

Methods used for identification of the biofilm formed on biotic and abiotic surfaces.

Figure 3

The use of microscopy in the studies analyzed (* SEM = scanning electron microscopy).

Figure 4

Bacteria that were identified in the biofilms formed on different invasive medical devices (mainly tracheal cannulas).

Figure 5

Tracheal tubes used in the studies. The subject of the study. * usual PVC tracheal tubes, ** coated tubes with noble metals, antibiotics, phages, and other.