Even more surprisingly, the percentage of the CD8+ counterparts (CD8+ hybrid Tc1-Tc17 cells, also known as Tc1/17, CD45RO+CD45RA ̄CXCR3+CCR6+) was lower in VAP vs. HC at all the time points (Fig. 3j, k). This evidence concerns the gene CD8A and ventilator-associated pneumonia.