The development of nosocomial ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has been linked to the presence of specific
bacteria found in the biofilm that develops in intubated endotracheal tubes of critical care patients. Presence of biofilm
has been difficult to assess clinically. Here, we use Optical coherence tomography (OCT), to visualize the biofilm at both
the proximal and distal tips. Ultimately, the goal will be to determine if OCT can be a tool to visualize biofilm
development and potential interventions to reduce the incidence of VAP.
Biofilm formation has been linked to ventilator-associated pneumonia, which is a prevalent infection in hospital intensive care units. Currently, there is no rapid diagnostic tool to assess the degree of biofilm formation or cellular biofilm composition. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a minimally invasive, nonionizing imaging modality that can be used to provide high-resolution cross-sectional images. Biofilm deposited in critical care patients’ endotracheal tubes was analyzed in vitro. This study demonstrates that OCT could potentially be used as a diagnostic tool to analyze and assess the degree of biofilm formation and extent of airway obstruction caused by biofilm in endotracheal tubes.
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