[A cellular quantitative immune deficiency in chronic post-traumatic osteomyelitis].

The specific cellular host defence in patients with chronic post-traumatic bone infection was analyzed in a prospective study. The study included 120 patients with chronic post-traumatic osteomyelitis and 60 healthy volunteers. The number of CD-5, CD-4, CD-8, natural killer cells and the CD-4/CD-8 ratio were significantly decreased. The immunodeficiency seems to be trauma-induced and reinflammation seems to be due to other immunodeficient factors. The potential key role of a defect in cytokines is discussed.