Changes in lymphocyte number and phenotype in seven lymphoid compartments after thermal injury

Thermal injury is associated with dysfunction of host defense systems. The present study used flow cytometric immunofluorescence analyses to investigate changes in number and phenotype of lymphocytes in seven different lymphoid compartments at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 60 days after 50% total body-surface area thermal injury in the rat. These studies demonstrate that burn injury results in dramatic alterations in lymphocyte numbers and subset percentages in different lymphoid compartments. Immune alterations observed following thermal injury may be due, in part, to a redistribution of the cellular elements responsible for generation of the immune response.