Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 30, 2025

Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
Published on: September 12, 2016
Effects of CNS Injury-Induced Immunosuppression on Pulmonary Immunity
Bashir Bietar1, Christian Lehmann1, Andrew W Stadnyk1
1Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Pharmacology, Pediatrics and Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
Abstract:
Patients suffering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other forms of central nervous system (CNS) injury have an increased risk of nosocomial infections due to CNS injury-induced immunosuppression (CIDS). Immediately after CNS-injury, the response in the brain is pro-inflammatory; however, subsequently, local and systemic immunity is suppressed due to the compensatory release of immunomodulatory neurotransmitters. CIDS makes patients susceptible to contracting infections, among which pneumonia is very common and often lethal. Ventilator-acquired pneumonia has a mortality of 20-50% and poses a significant risk to vulnerable patients such as stroke survivors. The mechanisms involved in CIDS are not well understood. In this review, we consolidate the evidence for cellular processes underlying the pathogenesis of CIDS, the emerging treatments, and speculate further on the immune elements at play.
Related Concept Videos
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation

