Intravenous anti- IgY-antibodies do not decrease pulmonary bacterial concentrations in a porcine model of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by is a cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. The spread of pathogens with anti-microbial resistance mandates the investigation of novel therapies. Specific polyclonal anti- IgY-antibodies (IgY) might be effective for VAP caused by The objective of this study was to investigate if intravenous IgY decreases the lower airway concentration of in VAP. We used a double blind randomized placebo controlled porcine model of VAP caused by . Eighteen pigs were randomized to either receive intravenous IgY or placebo. Repeated registration of physiological parameters and sampling was performed for 27 h. Concentration of in BAL-cultures was similar in both groups with 10 ± 10 CFU/mL in the intervention group vs 10 ± 10 CFU/mL in the control group at the end of the experiment. The intervention group had higher heart rate, cardiac index, oxygen delivery and arterial oxygen tension/fraction of inspired oxygen-ratio, but lower plasma lactate and blood hemoglobin levels than the control group. In summary, in an anesthetized and mechanically ventilated porcine model of VAP, IgY at the dose used did not decrease concentrations of in the lower airways.