Early immunological defects in comatose patients after acute brain injury

Abstract

Significant deficiencies of the immune system, particularly the cellular arm, are precipitated by severe brain injury within 72 hours of the event. These impairments probably play a role in the high rate of complicating infections and multiple organ failure. Together with earlier findings, the results of this study indicate that if brain-injured patients survive these hazards, their immune system will eventually recover.