T helper cell subset ratios in patients with severe sepsis (original) (raw)

Abstract

Background: T helper 1 (Th1) lymphocytes produce interferon γ (IFN_γ_), favouring cell mediated immunity; Th2 cells secrete interleukin-4 (IL-4), favouring humoral immunity. Cytokines produced in sepsis may effect Th subset predominance and subsequent immune responses. Methods: We measured Th subsets in ten patients with severe sepsis, seven APACHE II score-matched non-septic critically ill control patients, and ten healthy subjects. Mononuclear leukocytes were isolated and Th subsets identified by flow cytometry. Results: The median (range) Th1/Th2 ratio was 0.46 (0.2–2.5) in patients with sepsis, which was significantly lower than both non-septic controls (median 2.5 (0.2–5.9), p = 0.050) and healthy subjects (median 3.9 (1.2–10.8), p = 0.01). Conclusions: In patients with sepsis, Th2 antibody mediated (humoral) immune responses predominate. This type of response may lead to fibroblast activation and ultimately immunosuppression. Modulation of Th cell subset predominance may present a novel therapeutic option in the treatment of severe sepsis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Unit of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK e-mail: h. f.galley@abdn.ac.uk Tel. + 44 1224 681 818 ext 52775 Fax + 44 12 24 27 30 66, , , , , , GB
    N. R. Ferguson, H. F. Galley & N. R. Webster

Authors

  1. N. R. Ferguson
  2. H. F. Galley
  3. N. R. Webster

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Received: 26 May 1998 Final revision received: 9 October 1998 Accepted: 16 October 1998

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Ferguson, N., Galley, H. & Webster, N. T helper cell subset ratios in patients with severe sepsis.Intensive Care Med 25, 106–109 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001340050795

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