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Lactobacillus GG in the Prophylaxis of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

Lactobacillus GG in the Prophylaxis of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Study

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00613795
Enrollment
125
Registered
2008-02-13
Start date
2004-08-31
Completion date
2009-11-30
Last updated
2010-03-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pneumonia, Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

Keywords

pneumonia, ventilator associated pneumonia, probiotics, Lactobacillus GG

Brief summary

This study utilizes lactobacillus, or probiotics, delivered twice daily to the mouth and stomach, via feeding tube, in effort to determine whether the oral administration of a naturally occurring Lactobacillus species reduces the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia therefore reducing intensive care unit(ICU)complications.

Detailed description

The long-term objective of this research is to determine the utility of altering the oral and gastric bacterial flora in mechanically ventilated patients in order to reduce intensive care unit (ICU)complications. Specifically, our goal is to determine whether the oral administration of a naturally occurring Lactobacillus species reduces the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). ICU admission is commonly accompanied by overgrowth of the natural gastrointestinal (GI) and oropharyngeal flor by pathogenic organisms. Patients requiring endotracheal intubation are predisposed to developing VAP, presumably via micro-aspiration of the altered oropharyngeal flora. By reducing VAP rates, we hope to improve ICU outcomes, minimize ICU expenses, and most importantly, decrease morbidity and mortality.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTLactobacillus GG

Every 12 hours, the contents of a single capsule containing Lactobacillus GG will be suspended in 3 ml of water-soluble jelly. The suspension will be applied to the oropharyngeal mucosa via sterile syringe. The contents of a second capsule will be suspended in 10 ml of sterile water and pushed through the NG tub followed by 10 mL of air to ensure complete administration.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTplacebo

Every 12 hours, the contents of a single identical placebo capsule containing the inert plant carbohydrate inulin will be suspended in 3 ml of water-soluble jelly. This suspension will be applied to the oropharyngeal mucosa via sterile syringe. The contents of a second placebo capsule will be suspended in 10 ml of sterile water and pushed through eh NG tube followed by 10 mL of air to ensure complete administration

Sponsors

Creighton University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Admission to the medical, surgical, or cardiac ICU * Age 19 years or greater (the age of majority in the state of Nebraska) * Anticipated need for \>72 hours of endotracheal intubation * Initial intubation during hospitalization * Approval of the attending physician responsible for the patient's care * Informed surrogate consent within 24 hours of intubation

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnancy * Pharmacologic immunosuppression (\>10mg prednisone daily or equivalent for at least 14 days) * Native immunosuppression: 1)known HIV disease or AIDS, 2)history of malignancy, 3)multiple organ system failure * History of prosthetic or bioprosthetic cardiac valve placement * History of prosthetic vascular graft placement * Cardiac trauma * History of rheumatic fever, endocarditis, congenital cardia abnormality, or acquired cardia abnormality * Gastroesophageal surgery or perforation associated with current admission * Intestinal surgery or perforation associated with current admission * Significant oropharyngeal mucosal injury * Placement of a tracheostomy

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
To determine whether patients given oral Lactobacillus GG will have a smaller increase in the density of pathogenic bacterial in cultures from oral swabs, nasogastric aspirates, and minimally invasive bronchoalveolar lavage samples.daily while intubated

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
To assess whether administration of Lactobacillus GG to intubated patients reduces clinically diagnosed VAP,reduces microbiologically diagnosed VAP, affects mortality and duration of mechanical ventilation, and total antibiotic consumption.daily while intubated

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 31, 2026