Acute stroke predisposes to oral gram-negative bacilli - a cause of aspiration pneumonia?

Milins, B. , Gosney, M., Jack, C. I. A., Martin, M. V. and Wright, A. E. (2003) Acute stroke predisposes to oral gram-negative bacilli - a cause of aspiration pneumonia? Gerontology, 49 (3). pp. 173-176. ISSN 0304-324X doi: 10.1159/000069171

Abstract/Summary

Objectives: To assess any change in the oral flora in the mouths of stroke patients during the acute and rehabilitation phases and to determine whether this is related to episodes of aspiration pneumonia and clinical outcome. Materials and Methods: This observational study was carried out in hospital wards in a University teaching hospital. The subjects were patients immediately post-stroke and during the rehabilitation period, acute admissions and a group of healthy volunteers. An assessment of dentition and swallow in the presence or absence of oral aerobic gram-negative bacilli (AGNB) was correlated. Results: Of the acute stroke patients 52% had an unsafe swallow. AGNB carriage was documented in 34% of the acute stroke group. Of the 11 patients who died 55% had AGNB, 73% had an unsafe swallow and 36% had a combination of both. Conclusion: AGNB is a common finding in acute stroke patients. It is not a consequence of age or acute hospitalisation and is associated with an unsafe swallow and a higher mortality. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/13147
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords	pneumonia, stroke, gram-negative bacilli , SELECTIVE DECONTAMINATION, DIGESTIVE-TRACT, DYSPHAGIA
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