A Kansas State University study is analyzing how the immune system is involved in damage to the intestines following hemorrhagic shock. While studying the effects of a complement inhibitor given following hemorrhage, it found that Helicobacter infection changes the body's mechanistic response and would therefore affect the therapeutics given to trauma patients.

"The understanding of the different immune processes involved after hemorrhage suggests that the therapeutic potential of some drugs might not be effective on trauma patients with undiagnosed Helicobacter infections," Hylton said.
"Diana found that mice infected with Helicobacter sustain significant intestinal damage in response to hemorrhage, but it is not complement-mediated," Fleming said.
"I am eager to learn more about how the immune response following hemorrhage is influenced by other immune cells and their secretions," Hylton said. "Cytokines are an exciting area of research because they can have different biological functions in different parts of the body and with different immune responses."