Australia: Researchers have found in an international trial of over 9,000 mechanically ventilated ICU patients that selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) did not significantly reduce in-hospital mortality compared to standard care (27.9% vs 29.5%). However, secondary analyses revealed fewer new bloodstream infections among patients receiving SDD. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine and conducted by The SuDDICU Investigators for the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group and the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group, aimed to determine whether SDD could lower mortality and prevent microbial resistance in critically ill patients. The trial was carried out across 26 intensive care units (ICUs) in Australia an

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