Annals of burns and fire disasters
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Burns continue to be a major environmental factor responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries and, in particular, burns due to stove bursts are a major problem. Two types of stoves are available in Pakistan: gas stoves and kerosene stoves. ⋯ The continued commercialization of such stoves, and especially of the gas stove, is is a cause of serious and permanent consequences that represent a danger for the population. Proper care should be observed when handling them because, as always, prevention is better than cure.
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Burn injury is associated with immune suppression and the subsequent development of sepsis. Severe burn injury is associated with depressed immune response, including a functional impairment of Th1 lymphocytes and natural killer cells and a decrease in interferon-a production. Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells and play a key role in T cell activation; they are essential in coordinating the host response to pathogens. ⋯ The data from the present study suggest that the DC percentage decreased early after burn injury. In addition, in the presence of severe sepsis, the DC percentage remained lower until day 14. This DC reduction may contribute to the immunosuppression observed after burn injury.