Intubation and mechanical ventilation lead to an extensive expansion of VAP-associated bacterial species in respiratory secretions of ventilated pigs

Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) remains one of the most critical nosocomial infections in intensive care medicine. Between 20-50% of ventilated patients develop VAP during treatment, often leading to long term sequelae and death, despite successful therapy of their underlying disease. VAP is typically caused by Gram-negative bacteria that can previously be detected on the mucosal membranes of the oral and upper respiratory tract. To assess and quantify bacterial colonization of the respiratory tract following intubation and ventilation a well-established pig model was used.