Gastric Colonization and Nosocomial Pneumonia in the Mechanically Ventilated Patient

Nosocomial pneumonia accounts for approximately 1% of hospital-acquired infections [1] and is the leading cause of death from nosocomial infection in the United States [2]. Rates of nosocomial pneumonia are considerably higher in intensive care unit (ICU) patients than in patients on hospital wards, and mechanically ventilated patients are at highest risk for lower respiratory tract infection [3–5]. Unfortunately, the use of potent broad-spectrum antibiotics has not dramatically reduced fatality rates for nosocomial pneumonia in the ICU patient receiving mechanical ventilation [6–9].