Low-cost antiseptic-impregnated tracheostomy tube for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria: In vitro and pilot study in humans

•Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common nosocomial infection in the ICU.•Antiseptic-coated endotracheal tubes can potentially reduce the risk of VAP.•Microbiological tests showed significant inhibition of standard bacteria by the impregnated tubes.•The impregnated tubes showed effective antimicrobial activity, and no adverse events were observed. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most common causes of nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity of an in-house low-cost tracheostomy tube impregnated with chlorhexidine and violet crystal. The impregnated tracheostomy tubes demonstrated antimicrobial activity, including for multidrug-resistant bacteria. Fourteen patients were evaluated. During ventilation, VAP occurred in one patient in the coated group and in three patients in the control group (p=0.28). A reduction of biofilm cells was observed. This study provides preliminary evidence to support that the antiseptic impregnation of a tracheostomy tube provides significant antimicrobial activity. La neumonía asociada a la ventilación mecánica (NAV) es una de las causas más comunes de infecciones nosocomiales. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la actividad antimicrobiana y antibiofilm de un tubo traqueostómico impregnado en el propio establecimiento con clorhexidina y cristal violeta. Los tubos traqueostómicos impregnados demostraron actividad antimicrobiana, incluso contra bacterias multirresistentes. Se evaluaron catorce pacientes. Durante la ventilación, se produjo NAV en un paciente del grupo con recubrimiento antiséptico y en tres pacientes del grupo control (p=0,28). Se observó una reducción de células de biofilm, pero sin diferencia significativa. Este estudio proporciona una evidencia preliminar de que la impregnación antiséptica del tubo traqueostómico proporciona una actividad antimicrobiana significativa.