[Key problems of the pathogenesis of infection]

The authors analyse the results of clinico-immunological studies in 452 patients with various forms of pyogenic surgical infection; 292 of the patients had surgical sepsis. It is proved that the condition of the primary and secondary purulent foci determines the course of the wound process and the occurrence and progress of sepsis. Radical surgical debridement of the wound leads to early optimization of the condition of the immune system and creates conditions for effective immunologic correction and intensive therapy.