Neutrophils release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in response to invading pathogens. Although NETs play an important role in host defense against microbial pathogens, they have also been shown to play a contributing mechanistic role in pathologic inflammation in the absence of infection. Although a role for NETs in bacterial pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is emerging, a comprehensive evaluation of NETs in the alveolar space of critically ill patients has yet to be reported. In this study, we evaluated whether markers of NET formation in mechanically ventilated patients are associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
