The effect of blood transfusions on immune function. V. The effect on the inflammatory response to bacterial infections.

Blood transfusions have been shown to be associated with increased bacterial infection rates in colon cancer patients and in multiple animal studies. This increased susceptibility appears due to impairments in the systemic resistance to infections and not to alterations in the local response. Specifically, transfusions in a rat model were not found to alter the peritoneal cavity's response to an Escherichia coli challenge or the burn wound's response to a Pseudomonas aeruginosa challenge. Transfusions did impair the macrophage's ability to phagocytose and kill bacteria. Transfusions also increased the serum level of the immunosuppressive glucocorticoid, corticosterone.