 Nosocomial infections were recorded during the entire ICU stay as recommended by the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta.17,18 Nosocomial pneumonia was diagnosed when Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Risk Index was 6 or more.19 The infections that were present upon admission or diagnosed within the first two days of ICU treatment were marked as acquired before ICU admission. All diagnosed infections were treated according to the results of microbiological tests andor according to infection control guidelines. Acute inflammatory response was measured with C-reactive protein CRP levels. The blood samples for its determination were obtained at baseline and the end of the study. 