Immune function in spinal cord-injured males.
Infected and noninfected spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients, bilateral amputees (control for mobility), and a control group were compared for immune function. Immune measures involved acute phase reactants (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], c-reactive protein [CRP], and alpha-1 globulin [A1G], T cell measurements (absolute lymphocyte count [ALC]), and B cell function (gamma globulin [GG]). All subjects were at least three months postinjury, had no history of immune system disease, and were not taking potential immune system altering drugs. There was no T or B cell dysfunction, but acute phase reactants were elevated, even in patients without infection. Criteria for predicting infection included recent injury, few previous infections, and catheters. The best predictor of infection was CRP. Suggestions for further research include investigating nonhospitalized patients, searching for reasons for elevated acute phase reactants, and using the predicting formula on newly injured patients to see if it predicts infectious complications.
D000328:Adult; D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000032:analysis; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D017053:Infection Control; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*
D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein