Biomarkers in sepsis and other severe infections

Infectious diseases constitute a major global health problem. The presenting clinical picture results from a mixture of direct toxic actions by the microbiological agent and of the immune response mounted by the host. There is often a rapid onset, which may constitute a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, whereas in other cases an extensive investigation over a long time period can fail to identify a causal microbial agent. The aim with this thesis was to study the cellular immune response with phenotypical assays, in patients with severe infections with focus on sepsis. We assessed if our findings could serve as biomarkers and provide valuable diagnostic and possible also therapeutic information. In the first part (paper I) we examined surface markers on white blood cells from patients with severe infections. In some instances our analysis could differentiate between infections of bacterial and viral origin. In the second part (paper II-IV) we examined the incidence and nature of the immune alterations found in patients with sepsis and septic shock. We identified a protein (Wnt5a) that inhibited differentiation of monocytes to monocyte-derived myeloid dendritic cells (Mo-mDC), which may play a role in the DC depletion often seen in sepsis. Also, as indicated by cell surface phenotype, a large inter-individual variation of immune activation and immunosuppression was detected in patients with sepsis, with a dominance of immunosuppression in patients with septic shock. Finally, different types of immature myeloid immunosuppressive cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were found in patients with sepsis; Mo-MDSCs were preferentially expanded in patients with gram-negative sepsis, whereas granulocytic MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs) accumulated in patients with gram-positive sepsis. We conclude that the immune response during severe infections shows large inter-individual variations and biomarker guided therapy could be useful in individualised treatment.

Grantor dc:publisher

Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Janols, Helena

• Clinical Medicine
• immunosuppression
• myeloid-derived suppressor cells
• T cells
• dendritic cells
• monocytes
• sepsis
• Biomarkers

Statement dc:rights

• info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

urn:isbn:978-91-87651-76-2

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:lup.lub.lu.se:95e313bf-9b12-43d3-9a8b-2806710affa1