What is the new treatment for drug-resistant pneumonia?

Researchers are exploring the use of high-dose inhaled nitric oxide as a potential treatment for drug-resistant pneumonia, which is a serious complication in intensive care units.

How effective is inhaled nitric oxide against superbugs like P. aeruginosa?

In a large-animal ICU model, high-dose inhaled nitric oxide reduced drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa by 99%, improved oxygenation, and enhanced lung function.

Is high-dose nitric oxide safe for human patients?

Initial safety trials in healthy volunteers and feasibility tests in critically ill patients indicate that high-dose nitric oxide can be administered without serious adverse effects, with methemoglobin levels remaining below safety thresholds.

Home / Health / Gas Offers Hope Against Superbug Pneumonia

Gas Offers Hope Against Superbug Pneumonia

11 Feb

•

Summary

Inhaled nitric oxide shows promise against resistant pneumonia.
High doses of gas reduced superbugs in a pig ICU model.
Safety trials in humans show low methemoglobin levels.

Gas Offers Hope Against Superbug Pneumonia

In intensive care units, drug-resistant pneumonia, especially from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, poses a significant challenge due to limited treatment options.

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have investigated the use of inhaled nitric oxide, a gas naturally produced by the body and used clinically at low doses, at much higher concentrations.

A study published in Science Translational Medicine utilized a large-animal ICU model involving pigs infected with multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa. One group received high-dose inhaled nitric oxide (300 ppm) for short periods, while the control group received standard care.