Open AccessReduced B cell HLA‐DR expression and natural killer cell counts in patients prone to sepsis after injury
Author(s) -
Ditschkowski Markus,
Kreuzfelder Ernst,
Majetschak Matias,
Obertacke Udo,
Schade Ulrich F.,
GrosseWilde Hans
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
european journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1741-9271
pISSN - 1102-4151
DOI - 10.1080/110241599750007630
Subject(s) - sepsis , cd16 , medicine , flow cytometry , natural killer cell , immune system , immunology , human leukocyte antigen , antigen , biology , cytotoxic t cell , in vitro , biochemistry , cd3 , cd8
Objective: To examine the influence of natural killer (NK) cells and HLA‐DR molecules on B cells in the development of severe sepsis after injury. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Medical school, Germany. Subjects: 46 severely injured (Injury Severity Score >16) patients. Interventions: Blood samples were taken immediately after admission and subsequently for 14 days. Main outcome measures: HLA‐DR expression on B cells and counts of B and NK cells measured by flow cytometry, and morphological estimation of large granular lymphocytes by microscopy. Results: HLA‐DR expression on circulating B cells was significantly reduced from days 6–14 after admission in 13 patients with subsequent severe sepsis compared with 33 patients who did not develop sepsis. In septic patients NK cell counts were significantly decreased from day 4 onwards ( p < 0.05). CD16+/CD56+ cells correlated with the morphology of large granular lymphocytes. Conclusion: In severely injured patients reduced counts of NK cells and HLA‐DR molecules on B lymphocytes seem to be part of an immune deviation that is associated with the development of severe sepsis. Copyright © 1999 Taylor and Francis Ltd.