-Interleukin-8 levels were lower in the IE group compared with the regular formula group by day 5 (p < 0.04) -Less gastric cultures were positive in the IE group compared with the regular formula group (26.7 vs. 71.4%; p < 0.02) -Nosocomial infections (15 vs. 25%), length of stay (16.7 vs. 12.2 days), length of mechanical ventilation (11 vs. 8 days), and survival (80 vs. 95%) did not differ between groups. Here, CXCL8 is linked to nosocomial infection.