Common Anesthetics May Combat Lung Infections

Common anesthesia used during surgeries may help combat viral and bacterial infections in the lung, according to a study by Paul R. Knight III, MD, PhD, professor of anesthesiology, and Krishnan Chakravarthy, MD, PhD. Chakravarthy earned his MD and PhD from the University at Buffalo and is currently at the Johns Hopkins Institute of Nanobiotechnology. The research showed animals exposed to volatile anesthetics had less viable bacteria compared to those not exposed. This could be helpful in the treatment of seasonal or pandemic influenza and pneumonia.