INTERFERON-GAMMA IN TRAUMA-RELATED INFECTIONS

Objective: The efficacy of interferon gamma therapy in reducing infect ion and improving outcome from infection in patients sustaining major injury was examined. Design: Randomized double-blind placebo control t rial Setting: Nine level one university affiliated trauma centers in t he United States. Patients and participants: Four hundred sixteen pati ents with injury severity score (ISS) greater than or equal to 25 or I SS greater than or equal to 20 with evidence of wound contamination. I ntervention: Recombinant human interferon gamma 100 ug or placebo was given subcutaneously daily for up to 21 days in addition to standard a ntibiotic therapy. Measurements and results: Comparable rates of major and minor infections were observed. Among the patients treated with i nterferon gamma there were fewer deaths related to major infection reg ardless of type [7-(3%) vs 18-(9%)]. The results, however, were domina ted by one center which had the highest enrollment, infection and deat h rates. Conclusions: Further studies are warranted to investigate the role of interferon gamma therapy in improving outcome with major infe ction.