01.12.2016 | Research | Ausgabe 1/2016 Open Access
Variability of anti-staphylococcal antibodies in healthy volunteers and pre-cardiac surgery patients
- Zeitschrift:
- Perioperative Medicine > Ausgabe 1/2016
Wichtige Hinweise
The work was carried out at the Department of Anaesthesia & Critical Care, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 235 Euston Road, London NW1 2BU.
Abstract
Background
Pre-operative antibody levels have been shown to be inversely related to development of post-operative complications. Staphylococcal infection is a major source of morbidity following surgery.
Methods
We examined the variability of anti-staphylococcal antibody levels across a group of healthy volunteers and compared this with patients scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery.
Results
Pre-operative cardiac surgical patients exhibited significantly higher levels of staphylococcal antibodies compared with healthy volunteers.
Conclusions
The relationship between pre-surgery staphylococcal antibody levels and outcome warrants further investigation.
