Linked Life Data

12871175

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/12871175

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
24
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-7-21
pubmed:abstractText
The spleen plays a paramount role in the host protection against invading microorganisms. In support of the above concept, in splenectomized patients there is increasing evidence of overwhelming postsplenectomy infections (OPSI). OPSI are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in about 80% of cases, but also Gram-negative bacteria are implicated in a certain number of cases. Therapeutically, penicillin and pneumococcal vaccines represent valid therapeutic approaches in Gram-positive OPSI. However, the effectiveness of polyvalent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccines is still debated and, thus, other therapeutic strategies should be validated for combating OPSI. According to our personal data, a deficit of phagocytic activities and of T helper (h)-1 cells is very frequent in splenectomized patients. In sera, we found reduced levels of both Interferon-gamma and Interleukin (IL)-4. These data are in accordance with the recent observation on the protective role of T cells against S. pneumoniae. In fact, patients deficient in IL-12 develop severe pneumococcal infections and undergo apoptosis of Th(1) cells.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
1381-6128
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
9
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1918-23
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
The immunocompromised host: immune alterations in splenectomized patients and clinical implications.
pubmed:affiliation
Immunology, University of Bari, Italy. jirillo@midim.uniba.it
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't