Halothane modulates the type i interferon response to influenza and minimizes the risk of secondary bacterial pneumonia through maintenance of neutrophil recruitment in an animal model
BACKGROUND: To minimize the risk of pneumonia, many anesthesiologists delay anesthesia-requiring procedures when patients exhibit signs of viral upper respiratory tract infection. Postinfluenza secondary bacterial pneumonias (SBPs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. An increased host susceptibility to SBP postinfluenza has been attributed to physical damage to the pulmonary epithelium,