Immunosuppression in patients who die of sepsis and multiple organ failure

JS Boomer, K To, KC Chang, O Takasu, DF Osborne… - Jama, 2011 - jamanetwork.com
Context Severe sepsis is typically characterized by initial cytokine-mediated
hyperinflammation. Whether this hyperinflammatory phase is followed by
immunosuppression is controversial. Animal studies suggest that multiple immune defects
occur in sepsis, but data from humans remain conflicting. Objectives To determine the
association of sepsis with changes in host innate and adaptive immunity and to examine
potential mechanisms for putative immunosuppression. Design, Setting, and Participants …