Microbiological Analysis of Oral Biofilm and Tracheal Aspirate in Child Patients under Mechanical Ventilation

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the oral biofilm and tracheal aspirate of children on invasive mechanical ventilation to observe similarities in the microbiota. Material and Methods: This study consisted of a retrospective descriptive analysis carried out in 35 children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão from March to December 2019. The lingual biofilm and tracheal aspirate were collected, and both samples were sent for culture examination. Results: In 34.3% of participants, the same bacteria were present in both the lingual biofilm and the tracheal aspirate, with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Acinetobacter baumannii being the most frequent. The frequency of detection of the same species at both sites was higher among patients who died compared to those discharged from the hospital (54.6% versus 25%, p = 0.087). There was a statistically higher frequency of deaths in patients aged up to 24 months (52.9% versus 11.1%, p = 0.01). Conclusion: There was a high similarity in the microorganisms found at the two sites studied in patients up to 24 months of age. Thus, it is noted that the oral cavity of hospitalized children on invasive mechanical ventilation serves as a reservoir for respiratory pathogens.