Colonizing Flora Dynamics in Intubated Surgical ICU Patients

The main cause of the occurrence of nosocomial infections are Gram-negative bacteria. Colonized medical devices (tubes, cannulas, drains, catheters) are an existing risk factor. The aim of this study was to determine bacterial colonization of endotracheal tubes and nasal cannulas in intubated patients at the Clinic of Anesthesiology, Reanimation and Intensive Care (CARIC), which represents a pre-stage to nosocomial pneumonia, characterized by a high mortality rate (up to 70 %). A five-year retrospective study (from 2010 to 2014) was performed at the CARIC, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. Laboratory data for bacterial isolates from endotracheal tubes and nasal cannulas were obtained through computer software for daily routine work of the Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology. The rate of isolation and Student's t-test were performed. Bacteria of the genus Acinetobacter spp. (46.5%) were the most frequently isolated microorganisms from endotracheal tubes and from nasal cannulas - bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas spp. (38,4%). Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., Klebsiella spp. and S. aureus (MRSA strains in particular) are the most frequent colonizers medical devices. Continuous microbial control of hospital environment and systematic monitoring of the hospital ecosystems are necessary to reduce the risk of intra-hospital transmission and infection.