A phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled trial of inulin for the prevention of gut pathogen colonization and infection in the intensive care unit

Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) often have gut colonization with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GN), which is associated with an increased risk for death and infection. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether prebiotic fiber could alter the gut microbiome to enhance colonization resistance and improve clinical outcomes in the ICU. The research involved a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial utilizing 16S microbiome sequencing to assess changes in microbiome patterns.