Ventilator-associated pneumonia is characterized by excessive release of neutrophil proteases in the lung
TS Wilkinson, AC Morris, K Kefala, CM O'Kane… - Chest, 2012 - Elsevier
Background Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is characterized by neutrophils
infiltrating the alveolar space. VAP is associated with high mortality, and accurate diagnosis
remains difficult. We hypothesized that proteolytic enzymes from neutrophils would be
significantly increased and locally produced inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase (HNE)
would be decreased in BAL fluid (BALF) from patients with confirmed VAP. We postulated
that in suspected VAP, neutrophil proteases in BALF may help identify “true” VAP. Methods …
infiltrating the alveolar space. VAP is associated with high mortality, and accurate diagnosis
remains difficult. We hypothesized that proteolytic enzymes from neutrophils would be
significantly increased and locally produced inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase (HNE)
would be decreased in BAL fluid (BALF) from patients with confirmed VAP. We postulated
that in suspected VAP, neutrophil proteases in BALF may help identify “true” VAP. Methods …
