title: Role of the gastrointestinal tract in burn sepsis.
abstract: During the last 50 years, our understanding of the role of the gastrointestinal tract as a first-line defense against the development of postburn sepsis has increased dramatically. Starting with the concept of that gut-derived bacteria cause distant injury, investigators have delineated a complex series of physical changes in the barrier of the gastrointestinal tract. Along with an understanding of these physical changes has come an appreciation of the role of the immune system in modulating postburn organ failure. Importantly, recent investigations into the role of mesenteric lymph have fundamentally changed the paradigm of organ failure and have implicated the gut as a cytokine-secreting organ. This article traces the development of key concepts in the study of burn sepsis and their clinical implications.
authors.affiliation: Burn and Shock Trauma Institute, Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
authors.forename: Ankush
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gosain
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Gamelli
mesh_terms: D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology*; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004064:Digestive System / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D016207:Cytokines; D000431:Ethanol