Interferon production in patients with thermal injuries

Abstract

Thermal injuries are usually accompanied by profound alterations in patient cellular immune response, resulting in an increased risk of sepsis. We have studied post-injury immune suppression and feel that there is now significant evidence that interferon plays a role in these effects. We therefore present both circumstantial evidence and the results of VSV plaque inhibition tests for antiviral activity of burn patient sera which indicate interferon induction in burn patients, particularly as the result of Candida albicans infection.