The antimicrobial effect of nitric oxide on the bacteria that cause nosocomial pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit.

Background: Nosocomial pneumonia is the second most frequent nosocomial infection and the leading cause of death from hospital-acquired infection. Endogenously produced nitric oxide is an important component of the body's natural defense mechanism. Recent studies have demonstrated that exogenous gaseous nitric oxide (gNO) is bactericidal and that inhaled gNO is beneficial to bacterial clearance.