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Review
. 2014 Mar 24;18(2):216.
doi: 10.1186/cc13787.

Is boosting the immune system in sepsis appropriate?

Jean-Marc Cavaillon, Damon Eisen, Djilalli Annane
Review

Is boosting the immune system in sepsis appropriate?

Jean-Marc Cavaillon et al. Crit Care. .

Abstract

A relative immunosuppression is observed in patients after sepsis, trauma, burns, or any severe insults. It is currently proposed that selected patients will benefit from treatment aimed at boosting their immune systems. However, the host immune response needs to be considered in context with pathogen-type, timing,and mainly tissue specificity. Indeed, the immune status of leukocytes is not universally decreased and their activated status in tissues contributes to organ failure. Accordingly, any new immune-stimulatory therapeutic intervention should take into consideration potentially deleterious effects in some situations.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
During sepsis, many types of cells (but not neutrophils) display enhanced apoptosis, leading to various deleterious consequences. AKI, acute kidney injury; ALI/ARDS, acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome; NK, natural killer.
Figure 2
Figure 2
New therapeutic interventions should address both the events in the tissues that lead to organ failure and the altered immune status of leukocytes restricted to some specific compartments.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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