[Prevention and management of lung infections with thymosin alpha1 in critical patients with tracheotomy].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effect of thymosin alpha(1) on lung infections in critical patients with tracheotomy.


METHODS
Forty-two patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group to receive daily subcutaneous thymosin injection at 11.6 mg and saline of 2 ml for 7 days, respectively.


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the infection rate, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukiu-6 were significantly lower in the treatment group.


CONCLUSIONS
Thymosin alpha(1) can be effective for prevention and treatment of lung infections in critical patients with tracheotomy and may improve the patients' immunity and prognosis.
Intensive Care Unit, People's Hospital of Lianzhou, Lianzhou 513400, China.
Deng-peng
DP
Huang
Ming
M
Yang
Wei-ping
WP
Peng
Xiao-she
XS
Chen
Zhong-qing
ZQ
Chen
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000077596:Thymalfasin; D013947:Thymosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D013947:Thymosin; D000077596:Thymalfasin