Effects of chlorhexidine oral decontamination on respiratory colonization during mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit patients.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess respiratory colonization before and after the use of chlorhexidine oral decontamination among a cohort of intensive care unit patients who received mechanical ventilation. We observed a decrease in the prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae and an increase in the incidence of fungal colonization. Chlorhexidine oral decontamination might have a differential effect on respiratory colonization.