The endotracheal tube (ET tube) is often colonized by microorganisms during mechanical ventilation.

Culturing the tip of the ET tube helps identify pathogens responsible for ventilator‑associated pneumonia (VAP) or other respiratory infections.

Clinical uses include:

Diagnosing ventilator‑associated pneumonia (VAP).

Identifying pathogens colonizing the airway in intubated patients.

Guiding targeted antibiotic therapy in critically ill patients.

Provides definitive microbiological evidence for infection management in ICU settings.

Analyte: Microorganisms present on the ET tube tip.

Normal Result: No growth (sterile tube tip).

Abnormal Findings:

Positive culture: Indicates colonization or infection by pathogenic organisms (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter).

Sensitivity profile: Identifies antibiotics effective against the isolated organism.

Clinical Use:

Provides a direct microbiological diagnosis of respiratory infections in ventilated patients.

Helps guide precise antimicrobial therapy.

Supports critical care, pulmonology, infectious disease, and internal medicine evaluations.