title: Alterations of the host defense mechanism in burned patients.
abstract: The host defense mechanism against microbial infection is seriously suppressed following a major thermal injury. In this article the specific and nonspecific systems are dissected, demonstrating known sites of alteration, and laying out a rational groundwork for future intervention.
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans