View article

A biofilm is found on the inner side of endotracheal tubes (ETT) in mechanically ventilated patients, but its features and role in pneumonia remain unclear.

This prospective, observational, monocentric study included critically ill ventilated subjects. Measurement of the ETT inner volume was first performed before extubation using the acoustic reflection method. After extubation, the biofilm was studied by means of optical and atomic force microscopy. Bacteriological analysis was then performed and compared with clinical documentation.

Twenty-four subjects were included. Duration of intubation lasted from 2 to 79 d (mean ± SD: 11 ± 15 d). The mean percentage of ETT volume loss evaluated in situ (n = 21) was 7.1% and was not linked with the duration of intubation. Analyses with atomic force microscopy (n = 6) showed a full coverage of the inner part of the tube with biofilm …