Reversal of postburn immunosuppression with low-dose polymyxin B.
In a randomized study of 28 patients with thermal injury, polymyxin B was administered intravenously in small doses to attempt to block the immunosuppressive effects of endotoxin. When compared with controls, treated patients showed a reduction in septic complications and death, but this reduction is not statistically significant at this time. In vitro measurements of lymphocyte function, however, indicate a statistically significant improvement in the T helper to suppressor ratio, and in the lymphocyte responsiveness to a number of bacterial antigens.
D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011112:Polymyxin B / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011113:Polymyxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
D004731:Endotoxins; D011113:Polymyxins; D011112:Polymyxin B