Local Scientist Studies the Link between Infection Fighting Cells and Septic Shock

While it’s not routinely talked about, septic shock and sepsis are common problems in all age groups and are the leading causes of mortality in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) around the world. Just last month, a six-year- old girl died of septic shock in the United Kingdom. A post-mortem revealed that the child, infected with the H1N1 virus, died of septic shock as a result of tonsillitis.

Septic shock is a serious life-threatening response to a severe infection. During septic shock, the body tissues and organs do not get enough blood and oxygen supply. Despite the best efforts of healthcare professionals, despite all the high technology at their disposal, despite being relatively common, mortality from septic shock remains high. It is the main cause of mortality in ICUs and has up to a 40% mortality rate.

Septic shock can occur if a patient contracts a bacterial infection after surgery. This can arise when sepsis (a serious localised or generalised infection) leads to low blood flow and a decrease in blood pressure that doesn’t respond to fluid therapy. Numerous factors other than bacterial infections – including pancreatitis, burns, and trauma – can cause a similar shock syndrome. In all these instances, numerous mediators trigger acute inflammation.

Dr. Jude Uzonna, a scientist at the Manitoba Institute of Child Health, the research division of The Children’s Hospital Foundation, is currently studying the role of a subpopulation of blood cells known as regulatory T-cells, in regulating the bodies defence mechanism as it fights septic shock. Dr. Uzonna and his research team have discovered that these regulatory T-cells, which naturally prevent excessive immune response and hence collateral tissue damage, play a critical role in determining the clinical outcome of septic shock. Dr. Uzonna says, “We have discovered that the depletion of these regulatory T-cells leads to a high sensitivity to laboratory-induced septic shock, a model commonly used to study the disease.” Uzonna adds, “Our goal is to understand how these cells are working to control septic shock and whether they are doing it directly or indirectly.”

The Manitoba Institute of Child Health is the research division of The Children’s Hospital Foundation. The Institute is dedicated to excellence in pediatric research. At the Institute, more than 220 world-class pediatric medical researchers, technical staff, students and support staff are involved in over $8 million of research and clinical trial activities each year.

Dr. Uzonna is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology at the University of Manitoba.

(Winnipeg, Manitoba – August 25, 2009)