CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ALTERATIONS OF PLASMA PROSTAGLANDIN E(2)(PGE(2)) IN SEVERELY BURNED PATIENTS

Agar gel single diffusion and radio immunological analyses were employ ed to determine the levels of serum C(3)c, C-4, IgA, IgM, IgG and plas ma PGE(2) in 24 severely burned patients. The results were compared wi th the development of postburn immunosuppression, severe infection and MOF. There were marked decreases in serum C(3)c, C-4 and Ig, which we re especially marked in patients with MOF. Furthermore, plasma PGE(2) decreased markedly in patients with MOF and/or severe systemic infecti on. The results suggest that the decrease or deficiency in plasma PGE( 2) was closely related to the immunosuppression and the development of severe systemic infection and/or MOF, which supported the hypothesis that PGE(2) might play a role in immunoprotection, but not immunosuppr ession, in burned patients. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd for ISBI.