Colonization of dental plaque by respiratory pathogens in medical intensive care patients

These findings suggest that bacteria commonly causing nosocomial pneumonia colonize the dental plaque and oral mucosa of intensive care patients. In many cases, this colonization occurs by large numbers of bacteria. Dental plaque may be an important reservoir of these pathogens in medical ICU patients. Efforts to improve oral hygiene in medical ICU patients could reduce plaque load and possibly reduce oropharyngeal colonization.