Publisher's Synopsis
This issue of the critical care focus series addresses aspects of the immune and inflammatory responses relevant to critical illness. It includes overviews of neutrophil function, apoptosis, metalloproteinases and T cells. In addition, the concept of immune paralysis as a contributor to the mortality of sepsis is discussed, and a comprehensive report on the current thinking regarding glucocorticoid therapy. There is also an interesting chapter describing the ′killer within′ – the way in viruses are able to modulate host immune responses to their own benefit.
