Effect of Selective Decontamination on the Intestinal Microbiota

Selective oral and digestive tract decontamination protocols significantly reduce the populations of potential pathogens — and of protective bacteria.

The intestinal microbiota is a complex ecosystem of predominantly anaerobic bacteria that protect the body from invading pathogens and also have important nutritional functions. Selective digestive tract decontamination (SDD) with nonabsorbable antimicrobial agents is supposed to reduce the population of Enterobacteriaceae while leaving the anaerobic intestinal microbiota unaffected. This strategy is increasingly used in intensive care units (ICUs) because it has been shown to improve survival of critically ill patients.

As part of a large clinical trial of decontamination strategies (JW Infect Dis Jan 7 2009), researchers in the Netherlands investigated the effects of these approaches on the intestinal microbiota. Using fluorescence in situ…

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection