Search PubMed⌕ Search

PubMed · 2268991

Multiple organ failure.

Abstract

Diagnostic criteria for individual organ system failure are imprecise, a factor that adds a considerable amount of ambiguity to this area of clinical research. Nonetheless, multiple organ failure is a common sequela of ARDS and other catastrophic medical and surgical illnesses that continues to limit patient survival. The cumulative weight of investigative evidence currently supports the premise that concepts of acute respiratory failure must encompass the abnormal gas exchange in the systemic as well as the pulmonary microvasculature. In this context, we need not dispense with the term ARDS, as respiratory distress applies equally to the nonpulmonary organs as well as the lungs.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

P M Dorinsky, J E Gadek. 1990. Multiple organ failure.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2268991/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

Persistent bacterial infections and primary immune disorders.

Mycobacteria, Salmonella and Helicobacter species have all evolved mechanisms to evade host defenses and cause persistent infection in humans. Host control of mycobacteria and Salmonella is largely achieved by the IFN-gamma/IL-12 pathway. Immune disorders affecting this pathway are characterized by disseminated infections with environmental or nontuberculous mycobacteria. Helicobacter is a predominantly extracellular bacterium that uses its remarkable genetic diversity (as well as other mechanisms) in order to evade host defenses. The importance of humoral immunity in containing Helicobacter infections to the mucosal surface is illustrated by the primary immune disorder, X-linked agammaglobulinemia in which patients are prone to chronic bacteremia and skin infections by Helicobacter and related species such as Flexispira and Campylobacter. Exploration of these particular infections in their specific immune defects sheds light on both host and bacterial mechanisms that have implications for pathogenesis and therapy.

Bacterial Infections↗

The importance of vaccination.

We have vaccines for nearly thirty of the more than seventy infectious diseases which are pathogenic for humans. Most of the vaccines, especially those to prevent childhood diseases, are highly effective with a high safety profile. Vaccines are being developed against many of the other bacteria and viruses, and some parasites. Occasionally, a new vaccine has to be withdrawn because of unexpected side effects. Smallpox remains the only infectious disease to have been eradicated. The Global Program to eradicate poliomyelitis initiated in 1988, has unfortunately run into difficulties. A few children immunised with the Sabin oral vaccine fail to clear the virus which can mutate over some years into a pathogenic form and spread rapidly unless large vaccination programs are re-introduced. Of major concern are emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, especially HIV, for which there is currently no vaccine. Fortunately, new techniques are becoming available making it possible to consider developing vaccines based on inducing strong cell-mediated immune responses to control the agent's replication when antigenic variation in surface antigens (e.g. HIV, influenza) makes classical techniques based on induction of antibody responses less attractive.

Bacterial Infections↗