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In vitro effects of complement inactivation upon burn-associated cell-mediated immunosuppression.
J J Ferrara1, D L Dyess, A Luterman
1Department of Surgery, University of South Alabama, Mobile 36688.
The American Surgeon
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Burn patient serum suppresses immune responses, increasing sepsis risk. Complement fragments contribute to this immunosuppression, though other factors are significant in severe burns.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Burn Injury Research
- Complement System
Background:
- Severely burned patients exhibit serum-induced suppression of cell-mediated immunity.
- Impaired immune competence in burn patients predicts mortality, often due to sepsis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of complement fragments in burn-induced immunosuppression.
- To determine if heat inactivation of serum affects immune suppressive capacity.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed serum from burn patients (massive >60% and major ≤60% total body surface area) for immunosuppressive effects on lymphocyte blastogenesis.
- Assessed changes in immunosuppression after heat inactivation of serum to inactivate complement.
Main Results:
- All patient sera demonstrated immunosuppressive capacity.
- Heat inactivation partially restored immune competence, with a greater effect in major burn patients.
- Complement fragments contribute to immunosuppression, but other factors are more dominant in massive burns.
Conclusions:
- Complement plays a role in acute burn-induced immunosuppression.
- Massive burn injuries involve additional, potent serologic suppressive factors beyond complement.