Host Defense Against Opportunist Microorganisms Following Trauma.
Abstract
Studies were performed to determine the effects of septicemia on humoral components of host defense in burned patients. Conversion of C3 by inulin, total hemolytic complement (CH50), and immunochemical levels of C1, C4, C2, C3, C5, factor B, C3b inactivator (KAF), and properdin were measured in fifteen patients with severe thermal injury during nine weeks postburn. To determine if the changes in complement components and immunoglobulins which were observed in the septic and non-septic burned patients were unique to patients with burn injury, levels of components of the alternative and classical complement pathways and of immunoglobulins were measured in the sera of ten patients with blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma and in ten septic patients without trauma. Experiments were also performed to investigate the humoral mechanisms which are operative against gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic opportunist microorganisms which cause serious infection in trauma patients. intact cells of E. coli 075, wild-type S. minnesota, and clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and P. mirabilis were found to be capable of efficiently activating the alternative pathway.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA045103
Entities
People
- Ann B. Bjornson
- H. Stephen Bjornson
- William A. Altemeier
Organizations
- University of Cincinnati