As infecções do trato respiratório inferior lideram entre as principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade no mundo. Um dos grandes problemas associados ao tratamento das infecções do sistema respiratório, como as pneumonias, advém da crescente resistência aos mais modernos antibióticos adquirida pelos microrganismos. A terapia fotodinâmica, uma técnica baseada na interação da luz com uma substância fotoativa para causar dano oxidativo a células, tem se destacado como uma interessante alternativa para diversas doenças como diferentes tipos de câncer e infecções. Neste trabalho foi realizada, com experimentos in vitro, uma prova de princípio da possibilidade de inativar, com um protocolo eficiente e seguro, uma das bactérias mais comumente encontradas em quadros de pneumonia, a Streptococcus pneumoniae, com terapia fotodinâmica infravermelha mediada pela indocianina verde. Duas fontes de luz, uma a base de lasers emitindo 780 nm e outra construída com LEDs emitindo 850 nm, foram comparadas para avaliar sua eficiência. Experimentos com a bactéria foram realizados para determinação dos melhores parâmetros de inativação microbiana. Em seguida, ensaios de citotoxicidade foram feitos com macrófagos RAW 264.7 com o intuito de averiguar se as condições microbicidas não apresentavam atividade tóxica para células fagocitárias do sistema imune. Foi possível delinear os parâmetros de concentração de indocianina, tempo de incubação e dose de luz que apresentassem atividade microbicida e que não fossem tóxicas para as células. A interação da terapia fotodinâmica com a ação fagocitária dos macrófagos sobre as bactérias foi avaliada pelo estabelecimento de co-cultura dessas espécies. Concluiu-se que, utilizando-se LEDs de 850 nm fornecendo uma dose de luz de 10 J/cm2 as amostras contendo indocianina verde 5μM, é possível inativar S. pneumoniae de modo eficiente e auxiliar a ação fagocitária de macrófagos. / The lower respiratory tract infections lead among the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A major problem associated with respiratory tract infections, e.g. pneumonia, stems from from the increasingly resistance to most modern antibiotics developed by microorganisms. Photodynamic therapy, a technique based on the interaction of light and a photoactive substance to cause oxidative damage to cells, has emerged as an attractive alternative for several diseases such as different kinds of cancer and infections. In this work, with in vitro experiments, we accomplished a proof of concept for the possibility of inactivating, with an efficient and secure protocol, one of the most commonly found bacteria in pneumonia cases, Streptococcus pneumoniae, with infrared photodynamic therapy mediated by indocyanine green. Two light sources, one based on 780 nm lasers and the other built with 850 nm LEDs, were compared to evaluate their efficiency. Experiments with bacteria determined the best parameters microbial inactivation. Then, cytotoxicity assays with RAW 264.7 macrophages analyzed if the microbicidal parameters had toxic effects on immune cells. It was possible to delineate the indocyanine concentration parameters, incubation time and dose of light to obtain microbicidal results that weren´t toxic to the cells. Interaction of photodynamic therapy with the phagocytic action of macrophages on the bacteria was assessed by establishing a co-culture with these species. We concluded that, using 850 nm LEDs providing a light dose of 10 J/cm2 to samples containing 5μM indocyanine green, it is possible to inactivate S. pneumoniae and efficiently assist the phagocytic action of macrophages.

A pneumonia é a principal causa de morte dentre as infecções hospitalares. Quando associada à ventilação mecânica (VM) desenvolve-se após 48 horas da sua instalação. É um importante fator independente de mortalidade para os doentes graves. As limitações e imprecisões dos recursos diagnósticos incentivaram o emprego de técnicas diagnósticas de PAV (pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica), que incluem uma variedade de métodos para coleta de material, tais como aspirado traqueal, métodos broncoscópicos e não broncoscópicos. A escolha de uma ou de outra técnica diagnóstica depende da experiência local, dos custos e da disponibilidade das diferentes técnicas. E o tratamento da pneumonia pode ser baseado nestes testes diagnósticos.

A resistência aos antibióticos dos patógenos mais comuns do trato respiratório está aumentando mundialmente. Recentemente, Streptococcus pneumoniae resistente à penicilina tem sido isolado em diversos países, e a freqüência dessas cepas tem elevado de modo alarmante. O aumento da resistência, com conseqüentes implicações terapêuticas, tem levado a uma reavaliação do uso dos antibióticos ß-lactâmicos para o tratamento de infecções pneumocócicas. No presente trabalho, um total de 107 amostras de Streptococcus pneumoniae, obtidas de materiais provenientes de pacientes adultos ambulatoriais e hospitalizados, em dois centros médicos de duas cidades do Rio Grande do Sul (Porto Alegre e Caxias do Sul), os quais apresentavam quadro clínico-radiológico de infecção pulmonar, foram analisadas com o objetivo de estudar-se a resistência do germe à penicilina. As amostras constituídas de escarro (80,4%), lavado brônquico (13,5%) e aspirado traqueal (6,6%) foram coletadas no período compreendido entre Julho de 1998 e Julho de 1999. O material foi semeado em meio de Agar sangue e as colônias suspeitas de Streptococcus pneumoniae foram transferidas para meio de Mueller-Hinton para teste de optoquina e de sensibilidade à penicilina com discos de oxacilina. Um halo de inibição da oxacilina menor do que 20 mm indicava a realização de teste para determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (MIC) com E-test. Um total de nove cepas foi identificado como tendo resistência intermediária à penicilina (MIC 0,1-1,0μg/ml) e nenhuma cepa resistente (resistência elevada: MIC > 2,0 μg/ml) foi identificada. Uma monitorização local das cepas quanto à resistência antimicrobiana é de grande importância para os clínicos no manejo de infecções pneumocócicas. / Antibiotic resistance to the common respiratory tract pathogens is increasing worldwide. Recently, penicillin-resistant pneumococci have been isolated in several countries, and the incidence of these strains has risen alarmingly. The increased of resistance with consequence therapeutic implications has led to a re-evaluation of ß-lactam antibiotics for the treatment of streptococcal infections. In present study a total of 107 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from samples of adult hospitalizated patients ando outpatients were prospectively collected in 2 different medical centers of Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil (Caxias do Sul and Porto Alegre) with clinical and radiologyc signs of respiratory infections, were analyzed with objective to study the penicillin-resistant pneumococci. The samples consisting of sputum (80,4%), bronchial lavage (13,5%) and inhaled traqueal (6,6%) had been colected in the period understood between 98 July and 99 July. The material was sown in agar-blood and the colonies suspicion of Streptococcus pneumoniae had been transferred to Mueller-Hinton for test of optochin and for sensitivity to penicillin test with oxacilin disks. One inhibition of the lesser that 20 mmm for oxacilin indicates the test accomplishment to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) with E-test. A total of 9 strains were intermediate-resistant to penicillin (MIC 0,1-1,0μg/ml) and neither was resistant to penicillin (MIC > 2,0 μg/ml). Monitoring local of antimicrobial resistant strains is of great importance to clinicians for the management of pneumococcal infections.

Racional: Aproximadamente um de cada cinco pacientes hospitalizados por pneumonia adquirida na comunidade (PAC) apresenta uma resposta clínica inadequada, sendo a mortalidade nestes pacientes de 40%. Os objetivos do estudo foram: determinar a incidência e as variáveis de associação independente com fracasso terapêutico da PAC, e os fatores prognósticos da PAC tratada em ambiente hospitalar. Métodos: Estudo de coorte, prospectivo, multicêntrico, com 425 pacientes hospitalizados por PAC. Os pacientes foram acompanhados de forma sistemática para identificação do fracasso terapêutico e seguidos até a alta hospitalar. Resultados: A incidência de fracasso terapêutico foi de 14,6% (62/425). Os preditores independentes de risco para o fracasso foram: insuficiência renal aguda à admissão (OR 2,9; IC 95% 1,2-7,2; p=0,017), progressão radiológica (OR 29,8; IC 95 8,1-109,7%; p<0,001), derrame pleural (OR 3,4; IC 95% 1,3-8,6; p=0,010), relação PaO2/FiO2 inferior a 250 à admissão (OR 2,7; IC 95% 1,1-6,7; p=0,017) e PSI classe V (OR 2,7; IC 95% 1,1-7,0; p=0,042). A mortalidade geral foi de 7,5%, e de 40,3% nos pacientes com fracasso. O fracasso terapêutico foi o principal fator independente de mortalidade na PAC (OR 85,3, IC 95% 18,8-387,4, p<0,0001). Conclusão: O fracasso terapêutico da PAC é freqüente, está associado a marcadores clínicos, radiológicos e laboratoriais identificáveis desde a admissão hospitalar (ou nos primeiros dias de acompanhamento), sendo o principal preditor independente de mortalidade. / Rational: One out of five patients hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) might have an inadequate response to empirical antimicrobial treatment, and the mortality among these patients may reach rates of up to 40%. The aims of the study were to: quantify the incidence of empirical treatment failure in CAP, identify risk factors for therapeutic failure and prognostic factors in CAP. Methods: Prospective, multicenter cohort study of 425 hospitalized patients for CAP. The systematic identification of treatment failure required a daily follow-up until hospital discharge. Results: The incidence of treatment failure was 14.6% (62/425). The independent risk factors associated with therapeutic failure in a logistic analysis were: acute renal failure (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.2-7.2; p=0.017), radiological progression (OR 29.8; IC 95 8.1-109.7%; p<0.001), pleural effusion (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.3-8.6; p=0.010), PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 250 (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.1-6.7; p=0.017) e pneumonia severity index Class V (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.1-7.0; p=0.042). Mortality was significantly higher in patients with therapeutic failure (40.3% vs. 7.5%). Treatment failure was the main prognostic factor associated with CAP (OR 85.3; 95% CI 18.8-387.4, p<0.0001). Conclusion: The treatment failure is frequently found and it is associated with clinical, radiological and laboratorial markers. It is also an important independent predictor of mortality in CAP.

Estudo retrospectivo de 80 casos de pneumonia por Pneumocystis jirovecii (PCP), diagnosticados no Laboratório de Micologia, Santa Casa-Complexo Hospitalar – Porto Alegre (RS), de agosto de 1984 à janeiro de 2006. Dos 80 pacientes, 23 (36,3%) já tinham diagnóstico de Aids; 40 (50%) tiveram diagnóstico de infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) concomitantemente com o diagnóstico de PCP. O fator predisponente mais encontrado foi a linfopenia associada à síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (Aids), com mediana da dosagem de CD4+ 36,5 células/mm3. Os achados clínicos mais frequentes foram tosse (81,3%), febre e dispnéia (76,3%). Na radiologia de tórax 92,5% apresentavam infiltrado pulmonar intersticial. Os diagnósticos foram feitos por fibrobroncoscopia com lavado broncoalveolar em 67,5%. Apenas 11,6% dos pacientes com Aids faziam uso de terapia antiretroviral; e apenas 6,3% de todos os pacientes do estudo faziam profilaxia para pneumocistose. O tratamento da PCP constituiu de sulfametoxazol-trimetoprim (SMX+TMP) em 92,3%. A maior incidência de PCP foi entre pacientes infectados pelo HIV (86,3%). Os pacientes apresentaram uma mortalidade de 34,3%, e 74,1% naqueles que necessitaram de ventilação mecânica. Complicações ocorreram em 40% dos casos, aumentando os dias de internação e de outras medicações com aumento de custo do tratamento. / The present study is based on a retrospective research of 80 cases with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), diagnosed at the Mycology Laboratory - Santa Casa Complexo Hospitalar Porto Alegre (RS), from August 1984 to January 2006. Out of those 80 patients, 23 (36.3%) had diagnosis of AIDS, 40 (50%) were diagnosed with infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) concomitantly with PCP diagnosis. The most common predisposing factor was lymphopenia associated with AIDS, with a median dose of CD4 + 36.5 cells/mm3. The clinical manifestations most frequent were cough (81.3%), fever and dyspnea (76.3%). Chest x-ray findings had interstitial pulmonary infiltrates in 92.5%. The diagnoses were made by bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage in 67.5% samples. Only 11.6% of patients with AIDS received antiretroviral therapy, and only 6.3% of all patients received prophylaxis for PCP. The treatment for PCP was trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP + SMX) in 92.3% of patients. The highest incidence of PCP was among HIVinfected patients (86.3%). The mortality rate were 34.3% and 74.1% in those who required mechanical ventilation. Complications occurred in 40% of cases, increasing days of hospitalization and other medications, which increased the cost of treatment.

A infecção por Hantavirus pode causar febre hemorrágica com doença renal ou doença respiratória grave. Em novembro de 1998 foi diagnosticado o primeiro caso de Síndrome Pulmonar por Hantavirus (SPH) no Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os dados epidemiológicos, as características clínicas e a evolução dos casos de infecção por Hantavirus no RS. Foram estudados os dados dos primeiros 18 casos de SPH no RS, confirmada pela pesquisa de IgM para o vírus Sin Nombre pelo método de Ensaio Imuno Enzimático (ELISA), diagnosticados entre 01 de novembro de 1998 e 31 de dezembro de 2000. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 39,8 anos (variando de 21 a 65 anos), 17 eram homens, 13 pacientes eram agricultores. As principais atividades de risco identificadas foram colheita e armazenamento de grãos (82,4%) e contato com roedores (76,5%). Os sintomas mais freqüentes foram febre (100%), mialgias (88,9%), dispnéia (88,9%), tosse seca (83,3%), dor abdominal (77,8%), vômitos (72,2%) e cefaléia (66,7%). Os achados mais comuns ao exame físico foram taquicardia (87,6%), hipotensao (72,2%), cianose (66,6%), agitação (55,6%) e edema periférico (38,9%). Treze pacientes (72,2%) apresentaram eventos hemorrágicos como hematúria (44,4%), hemoptise (27,7%) ou hematêmese (11,1%). Dois pacientes apresentaram insuficiência renal aguda grave. As anormalidades laboratoriais incluíram leucocitose (77,8%, média de 16,4 x 103 por mm3), freqüentemente com formas jovens, aumento de hematócrito (em 61,1% dos pacientes, média de 52,4%), trombocitopenia (em 9 de 12 casos, média de 91,4x 103 por mm3) e creatinina sérica aumentada (em 13 de 15 pacientes). A radiografia de tórax, realizada em 17 pacientes, mostrou infiltrado intersticial em 94,1%, padrão alveolar em 58,8% e derrame pleural em 76,5% dos casos. Sete pacientes, todos com insuficiência respiratória grave, foram a óbito (taxa de mortalidade de 38,9%). O número médio de dias do início dos sintomas até o óbito foi 7,3 (variando de 4 a 9). Concluímos que, nos nossos casos, a Hantavirose acometeu especialmente homens, em faixa etária produtiva, e que a zona rural foi o provável local de contaminação dos pacientes. Adicionalmente, a SPH caracterizou-se por um quadro febril agudo com queixas sistêmicas e respiratórias, podendo apresentar manifestações hemorrágicas e, infreqüentemente, insuficiência renal. Casos graves evoluíram com edema pulmonar, rapidamente progressivo. A letalidade relacionada à doença foi elevada. / Hantavirus can cause hemorrhagic fever and renal disease or severe respiratory illness. In November 1998 the first case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) was identified in Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. The aim of this study was to analyze epidemiological, clinicai and laboratory data and outcome of Hantavirus infection in RS, confirmed by the detection of IgM antibodies for Sin Nombre Virus using an enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Epidemiological and clinicai findings of the first 18 HPS cases in RS, diagnosed between November 01,1998 and December 31, 2000 were studied. The mean age of the patients was 39.8 years (range, 21 to 65); 17 were male, and 13 were farmers. The main identified risk activities were harvesting or storage of grains (82.4%) and contact with rodents (76.5%). The most common symptoms were fever (100%), myalgias (88.9%), dyspnea (88.9%), dry cough (83.3%), abdominal pain (77.8%), vomiting (72.2%) and headache (66.7%). The most common physical findings were tachycardia (87.6%), hypotension (72.2%), cyanosis (66.6%), restlessness (55.6%) and peripherical edema (38.9%). Thirteen patients (72.2%) had hemorrhagic events as hematúria (44.4%), hemoptysis (27.7%) or hematemesis (11.1%). Two patients developed severe renal insufficiency. The laboratory abnormalities included leukocytosis (in 77,8% of the patients; mean cell count 16.4 x 103 per mm3), often with myeloid precursors, an increased hematocrit (in 56.0 percent of patients; mean 52.4%), thrombocytopenia (in 9 out of 12 cases; mean platelet count, 914 x 103 per mm3), an elevated serum creatinine concentration (in 13 of 15 patients). Chest radiography, carried out in 17 patients, showed interstitial infiltrates in 94.1%, alveolar pattern in 58.8% of the patients and pleural effusion in 76.5% of the cases. Seven patients, ali with severe respiratory failure, died (case fatality rate, 38.9% percent). The mean number of days from onset of symptoms to death was 7.3 (range, 4 to 9). We concluded, in our cases, that HPS occured mainiy men, in productive age and the rural área was the probable place of patients' contamination. Additionally, HPS is characterized by a febrile illness with systemic and respiratory complaints, can exhibit hemorrhagic disturbances and, uncommonly, renal failure. Rapidly progressive, pulmonary edema occured in severe disease. The case fatality rate ofthe disease was high.

Abstract Antioxidants function as blockers of radical processes and eliminate harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during normal cellular metabolism. A complex antioxidant defence system has evolved to protect the cellular homeostasis. This system includes antioxidant enzymes (AOEs), such as superoxide dismutases (SODs), which are intracellular MnSOD and CuZnSOD and extracellular ECSOD, H2O2 scavenging enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), an important enzyme in heme metabolism, which has also been suggested to have antioxidant capacities. ROS play an important role in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung diseases. These diseases represent a group of disorders with different etiology, histopathology, treatment and prognosis. Sarcoidosis, extrinsic allergic alveolitis and two different forms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) were included in this study. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) and xanthine oxidase (XAO), oxidant generating enzymes commonly associated with tissue injury, and, on the other hand, the expressions of AOEs suggested to be involved in the defence of lung tissue against oxidant stress. The methods included immunohistochemistry on lung biopsies (n=48) and Western blotting, Northern blotting or reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on human inflammatory cells and cells obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage. I-NOS was intensively expressed in inflammatory, but not in fibrotic lesions, similar e-NOS expression was found in control lung and in all interstitial lung diseases, while XAO was mainly negative. MnSOD and HO-1 were highly expressed in the granulomas of sarcoidosis. In contrast the expressions of MnSOD and HO-1 in late fibrotic lesions of UIP were low or undetectable by immunohistochemistry. CuZnSOD and catalase showed similar immunoreactivity in healthy and diseased lung. A cell specific expression and regulation of various enzymes may play an important role during acute inflammatory diseases and also in the progression of lung fibrogenesis.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to detect the presence of 14 respiratory viruses and atypical bacteria (Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae), via polymerase chain reaction in patients under 18 years old hospitalized due to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) from Lima, Peru. Results: Atypical pathogens were detected in 40% (58/146); viral etiologies in 36% (52/146) and coinfections in 19% (27/146). The most common etiological agent was M. pneumoniae (n = 47), followed by C. pneumoniae (n = 11). The most frequent respiratory viruses detected were: respiratory syncytial virus A (n = 35), influenza virus C (n = 21) and parainfluenza virus (n = 10). Viral-bacterial and bacterium-bacterium coinfections were found in 27 cases. In our study population, atypical bacteria (40%) were detected as frequently as respiratory viruses (36%). The presence of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae should not be underestimated as they can be commonly isolated in Peruvian children with CAP.

O transplante pulmonar é terapia estabelecida para pacientes portadores de doença pulmonar em estágio terminal. Os doadores em morte encefálica são a principal fonte de pulmões para transplante. A fisiopatologia da encefálica é complexa e envolve mecanismos simpático, hemodinâmico e inflamatório que determinam o dano pulmonar. A administração de metilprednisolona em modelo animal de morte encefálica e transplante pulmonar diminuiu o dano de reperfusão no enxerto. Métodos- Vinte e quatro ratos Wistar foram anestesiados e randomizados em 4 grupos (n=6): Sham (sham): apenas trepanação; Morte Encefálica (ME): indução de morte encefálica e administração de solução salina; Corticóide 5min (mt5): indução de morte encefálica e após 5min administração de MET e Grupo Corticóide 60min (mt60): indução de morte encefálica e após 60min. administração de MET. Os animais de todos os grupos foram observados e ventilados durante 120min. Avaliou-se dados hemodinâmicos e gasométricos; dosagem de LDH, proteínas totais e citológico diferencial no lavado broncoalveolar (LBA); escore histológico; dosagem de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), TNF-α, superóxido dismutase (SOD) e catalase em tecido pulmonar. Resultados- Não foi observado diferença estatística entre os grupos nos dados hemodinâmicos e gasométricos, dosagens do LBA, avaliação do escore histológico, dosagem de SOD e catalase. O TBARS aumentou significativamente (P<0,001) em ambos os grupos tratados com MET em relação aos grupos sham e ME. O TNF-α aumentou significativamente (P<0,001) no grupo ME em relação aos grupos tratados com MET. Não ocorreu diferença estatística entre os grupos mt5 e mt60. Conclusão- A administração precoce ou tardia de MET nesse modelo de morte encefálica resulta em efeitos similares nas atividades inflamatória e de peroxidação lipídica no tecido pulmonar. / Lung transplantation is an established therapy for patients with end-stage lung disease. The main source of lungs for transplantation is brain-dead donors. The pathophysiology of brain death is complex and involves sympathetic, hemodynamic and inflammatory mechanisms that can injure the lung. It has been previously shown that brain-dead donor treatment with methylprednisolone reduces reperfusion injury after lung transplantation in animals. We hypothesized that early administration of methylprednisolone after brain death could result in reduced lung inflammatory injury in the donor lung. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats were anesthetized and randomly allocated into four groups (n=6): Sham (sham), Brain Death (BD), methylprednisolone 5min. (mt5) and methylprednisolone 60min. (mt60). BD, met5 and met60 groups were submitted to brain death by extradural space balloon inflation. Methylprednisolone (i.v. 30mg/kg) was administered to met5 and met60 groups, 5 or 60 minutes after brain death confirmation, respectively. The animals of all groups were observed and ventilated for 120 minutes. Hemodynamics, arterial blood gases, wet/dry weight ratio, bronchoalveolar lavage (white cell count, total protein and LDH concentration), histological score, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase determination were analyzed. Lipid peroxidation and TNF-α determination were assessed in lung tissue. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in hemodynamics, arterial blood gases, wet/dry weight ratio, bronchoalveolar lavage analysis, histological score, SOD and catalase in the different groups. TBARS determination was statistically higher in both methylprednisolone groups when compared to sham (p<0.001) and BD (p<0.001) groups. TNF-α concentration was significantly lower in met5 (p<0.001) and met60 groups (p<0.001) when compared to BD group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that early or late administration of methylprednisolone in this model of brain death has similar effect regarding inflammatory and lipid peroxidation activity on lung tissue.

Ventilator-associated events (VAEs) are patients' complications of respiratory conditions including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Research shows that VAP is the most common hospital-acquired infection among ventilated patients and a leading source of mortality. With greater risk for complications among ventilated- supported patients, nurses working in the ICU must keep abreast of new knowledge and update expertise to develop technical and clinical skills in daily practice. The purpose of this project was to assess whether an educational intervention would increase the ICU nurses' level of knowledge of the evidence-based intervention. Knowles' adult learning theory was chosen for this project. A paired-samples t-test was conducted to examine nurses' knowledge of VAE/VAP using a questionnaire measuring knowledge of VAP; 58 ICU nurses participated an educational intervention. Findings showed that nurses had an increase in knowledge following the education (M = 11.43, SD = .775) compared to nurses prior to education (M = 9.55, SD = .976), t(57) = -26.884, p < .001. Results of this project may guide the use of an evidence-based practice educational intervention to improve the quality and safety of ventilated patients. The implications for positive social change include preventing VAEs/VAP among patients, thus decreasing the length of hospital stay, cost, and deaths related to ventilator infections.