Immune mechanisms and host resistance in the trauma patient

Sepsis is responsible for 75 percent of late deaths following major thermal injury or traumatic injury. Efforts to prevent and/or control sepsis should include an understanding of normal host resistance, proper resuscitation techniques, and nutritional support. Recent studies identifying T suppressor cell abnormalities in burn patients and macrophage defects in trauma patients are presented in this paper. Concluding remarks regarding future directions for research and therapy in this area are also made.