Abstract
RATIONALE: Inhalation of nitric oxide (NO) exerts selective pulmonary vasodilation. Nitric oxide also has an antimicrobial effect on a broad spectrum of pathogenic viruses, bacteria and fungi. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of inhaled NO on bacterial burden and disease outcome in a murine model of Klebsiella pneumonia. METHODS: Mice were infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae and inhaled either air alone, air mixed with constant levels of NO (at 80, 160, or 200 parts per million (ppm)) or air intermittently mixed with high dose NO (300 ppm). Forty-eight hours after airway inoculation, the number of viable bacteria in lung, spleen and blood was determined. The extent of infiltration of the lungs by inflammatory cells and the level of myeloperoxidase activity in the lungs were measured. Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate a possible mechanism by which nitric oxide exerts a bactericidal effect. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Compared to control animals infected with K. pneumoniae and breathed air alone, intermittent breathing of NO (300 ppm) reduced viable bacterial counts in lung and spleen tissue. Inhaled NO reduced infection-induced lung inflammation and improved overall survival of mice. NO destroyed the cell wall of K. pneumoniae and killed multiple-drug resistant K. pneumoniae in-vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent administration of high dose NO may be an effective approach to the treatment of pneumonia caused by K. pneumoniae.