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Effect of selective flora suppression on colonization, infection, and mortality in critically ill patients: A one‐year, prospective consecutive study

ObjectiveTo study the effect of enterally administered polymyxin E, tobramycin, and amphotericin B (selective flora suppression) on bacterial colonization, infection, resistance, and mortality rate. DesignProspective, consecutive crossover controlled study. SettingTwo surgical ICUs in a university hospital; ICU I with ten beds, ICU II with eight beds. PatientsTwo hundred patients entered the 1-yr trial. Fifty of 111 patients received selective flora suppression during the first 6 months in ICU I (test group), while 61 of 111 patients served as the control group in the following 6 months. In ICU II, 49 of 89 patients received no selective flora suppression in the first 6 months (control group), followed by 40 of 89 patients receiving selective flora suppression during the second 6-month period (test group). InterventionsThe test group got a mixture of nonabsorbable antibiotics (paste and suspension) in the digestive tract. The control group received paste and suspension without antimicrobial agents. All 200 patients received cefotaxime during the first 4 days. Measurements and Main ResultsWith the use of selective flora suppression, colonization with aerobic Gram-negative bacilli was significantly (p < .01) reduced. There was also a significant reduction in nosocomial bronchopulmonary (ICU I and II; p < .001) and urinary tract (ICU II; p < .001) infections. The difference in mortality was not significant. There was no development of resistance against the antibiotics used during the limited period evaluated. ConclusionsSelective flora suppression is effective in reducing secondary colonization by aerobic Gram-negative bacilli. Reduction of bronchopulmonary and urinary tract infections most likely occurs with colonization prevention. (Crit Care Med 1991; 19:463)