Previous Infection And Host Defense Effects of GCSF

Clinical Center

Investigators

Abstract

Studies suggest that the production of endogenous antiinflammatory agents during sepsis reduces host defense and predisposes to subsequent infection. Whether such a state of immunosuppression during sepsis actually exists or is reversible with the administration of proinflammatory agents is unclear. However, use of recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to augment host defense following the onset of sepsis in critically ill patients has been proposed. Using a rat model, we plan to determine whether an initial episode of infection and sepsis augments the host defense effects of G-CSF during a subsequent episode.