Effect of nutrition on nonspecific inflammatory and specific immune host defense systems.
A truly prophylactic regimen for reducing the incidence of nosocomial infections would attempt to prevent the development of acquired deficiencies in host defenses. Monocyte function is a pivotal link between the specific immune system and non-specific inflammatory responses. We have found that decreased monocyte production of plasminogen activator correlates with a decrease in specific immune function and complement interaction. Simultaneously, monocyte generation of tissue procoagulant factor increases. Use of nutritional support of antibiotics in a judicious fashion may prevent those trauma-mediated or disease-mediated alterations in monocyte function which correlate with development of nosocomial infections.
D000818:Animals; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena