[Influence of plasma replacement on the hepatic failure with infection]

To investigate the influence of artificial liver support system on severe hepatic failure with infection, 37 cases of severe hepatic failure and 80 cases times of plasma replacement were analyzed.

The volume of plasma replacement was 2,000-2,600 ml/time. Japanese Plasauto-iQ Blood Purifying Device was used. Blood samples were observed before and after plasma replacement to determine liver function and prothrombin time. PBMCs were isolated and cultured, and the supernatants were collected to determine the levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-12 and gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN).

Before plasma replacement, 32 cases of 80 case times had infection, 5 cases of them had fever, the temperature was 37.5-38.0 centigrade. Four cases of them were fungus infection, 1 case was lung infection. After plasma replacement, liver function was improved, temperature was normal infection was controlled. The levels of IL-10, IL-12 and gamma-IFN in supernatants before and after plasma replacement were significantly higher than normal control, and the IL-10 level after plasma replacement was markedly higher than that before plasma replacement. The levels of IL-12 and gamma-IFN after plasma replacement were higher than plasma replacement, but they didn't reached statistic difference.

Plasma replacement might be helpful to control infection and therefore to stabilized the hepatic failure.