Summary
This narrative review synthesises literature on the role of gut dysbiosis in critically ill patients and its contribution to hyper-inflammatory cascades including systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction. The authors examine emerging evidence that probiotics and immunonutrition may modulate the immune response and attenuate systemic inflammation, particularly in postoperative settings and ventilator-dependent patients. The paper contextualises the gut microbiota's pathophysiological role in critical illness and discusses opportunities for therapeutic modulation.
UK applicability
The findings are relevant to UK intensive care practice and clinical nutrition guidelines, though this review does not report UK-specific trial data. Adoption of probiotics and immunonutrition protocols in UK critical care would require integration with existing NICE guidance and NHS procurement pathways for nutritional support.
Key measures
Gut microbiota composition; systemic inflammatory markers (SIRS/MODS severity); postoperative infection incidence; ventilation performance; immunological response markers
Outcomes reported
The paper reviews evidence on gut microbiota composition and dysbiosis in critically ill patients, and examines how probiotics and immunonutrition interventions modulate immune response and systemic inflammation. Reported outcomes include attenuation of systemic inflammation, postoperative infection rates, and ventilation performance.
Topic tags
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