[Microbial pathogenicity factors and host defense mechanisms--parameters of post-traumatic infections].

The clinical features of posttraumatic infections are due to the interactions between microbial pathogenicity factors and the host defense. The virulence mechanisms of microorganisms include the adherence, chemotaxis, invasion, resistance, and production of toxins. In addition, the humoral and cellular components of the immune system are impaired in trauma patients. The influence of pathogenic microorganisms on immune effector cells results in the release of various inflammatory mediators which participate in the protective host response to infection but induce local and systemic damage provided they are excessively produced and/or ineffectively metabolized.