Abstract
Introduction
Biofilm formation in endotracheal tube (ETT) is the major cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Biovo Technologies (Tel Aviv, Israel) developed a novel device (AirwayMedix Closed Suction System).
Objectives
1. Develop a reproducible system of in vitro biofilm formation and evaluation in ETT by P. aeruginosa 2. Compare the amount of biofilm removal after cleaning with AirwayMedix versus the KIMVENT* device.
Methods
Over night cultures of P. aeruginosa PAO1were diluted to 1x107 CfU's/mL in Luria broth medium (LB) in 8 mm diameter closed ETT and incubated horizontally at 370 for 24 h. Planktonic bacteria were removed by washing with three volumes of the ETT tubes and were divided into three groups: biofilm removal with AirwayMedix, KIMVENT* (Kimberly Clark, USA) or control. Quantification of attached bacteria was performed on 4 cm segments from the middle part of the ETT.
Results
The conditions of in vitro biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa in ETT and its evaluation were achieved. Enumeration of the attached bacteria: control=1X107 CFU/cm2, KIMVENT=4.86x106 CFU/cm2 (p= 0.01), AirwayMedix 1.1X104 CFU/cm2 (p=0.01).
Conclusions
The AirwayMedix system proved to be superior to the KIMVENT system in its ability to remove bacterial biofilms from ETT.
- © 2014 ERS