Gingival and plaque decontamination: Can we take a bite out of VAP?

All baseline characteristics were similar between the treated and the placebo groups. The trial was stopped based on an interim analysis showing statistical futility. The incidence of nosocomial infections was 17.5% (13.2 per 1000 ICU days) in the placebo group and 18.4% (13.3 per 1000 ICU days) in the plaque antiseptic decontamination group (p=NS). No difference was observed in the incidence of ventilatorassociated pneumonia per ventilator or intubation days, mortality, length of stay, and care loads. On day 10, the number of positive dental plaque cultures was significantly lower in the treated group (29% vs. 66%; p<0.05). Highly resistant Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Enterobacter species identified in late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia and previously cultured from dental plaque were not eradicated by the antiseptic decontamination. No side effect was reported.