Over two decades an abundance of knowledge has been accumulated focus ing on the understanding of the molecular and cellular pathomechanisms of stressful conditions like systemic inflammation and sepsis. We have learned that there is a clear correlation between the magnitude of the inciting traumatic event and the degree of inflammatory dysbalance. The immunoinflammatory disintegration comprises a simultaneous col lapse of the otherwise very smoothly balanced pro- and antiinflammatory vectors of cytokine regulation. Most recently, we understood that it is predominantly the dysregulation of...

Sepsis and infection are the major enemies of the intensive care patient in whom immunological defenses are severely impaired. This major problem is thefocus of attention in this book, based on the presentation of the First International Congress on the Immune Consequences of Trauma, Shock, and Sepsis, which is one of the first attempts to exchange ideas on the state-of-the-art in this area of immunology. Both basic and clinical research, including new centres of attention, are described. The growing role of immunology in medicine opens new avenues to the under- standing of trauma and sepsis...

This text brings together international experts to explore the pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome and Multiple Organ Failure with an emphasis on injury, ischemia, and inflammation. Emphasizing material of clinical relevance to patient care, 75 chapters address development of SIRS, MODS and MOF including risk history; mechanisms of SIRS and organ failure; mediators and effectors including cytokines, biologic control of inflammation, histamine, nitric oxide; prevention and general therapy including intensive...