Microbiological efficiency of intravenous immunoglobulins in the complex treatment of "ventilator-associated" pneumonia in premature infants

Aim: To investigate the microbiological effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulins in the complex treatment of "ventilator-associated" pneumonia (VAP) in premature newborns. Material and methods: We conducted a microbiological study of tracheo-bronchial aspirates (TBA) in 98 premature newborns with respiratory distress syndrome complicated by the development of "ventilator-associated" pneumonia (VAP). The 16 infants received intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) from the second day of life. The 47 infants received IVIG in the acute period of VAP from 5 to 8 days from the onset of the disease. The comparison group consisted of 35 infants with VAP who were not given IVIG. Infants from all groups received antibacterial therapy. Results: The content of microorganisms in TBA in the amount of lg3 colony-forming units in 1 ml or more is an unfavorable sign for the development of VAP in premature newborns. The use of IVIG in infants with VAP is characterized by high microbiological efficiency, which occurs in most patients within a day from the start of treatment. The greatest inhibition of growth is observed against bacteria, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Chlamidia trachomatis. The effect was weaker against Candida spp. The best effect was with the early administration of IVIG: the respiratory tract was sanitized faster and secondary infection developed less frequently.