Evaluation of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Severe Burn and Trauma Patients

Evaluation of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Severe Burn and Trauma Patients

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the level of mitochondrial dysfunction several patient populations: Burn, trauma, and control group of healthy volunteers.

Study hypothesis: Increased plasma concentrations of a newly discovered inflammatory mediated, called mtDNA DAMPS associated with the occurrence of multi-organ dysfunction syndrome in severly injured patients.

As the severity of a burn injury or trauma injury increase, so will systemic mitochondrial dysfunction.

Increased plasma concentrations of a newly discovered inflammatory mediated, called mtDNA DAMPS associated with the occurrence of multi-organ dysfunction syndrome in severly injured patients.

A normal healthy sub-population will be used as a control.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Burn injury must be less than 24 hours old at time of initial sampling
• Burn must be 2nd or 3rd degree and at least 10% TBSA
• ISS (injury severity score) > 15

Exclusion Criteria:

• Burn injury/trauma injury > than 24hours old at time of initial sampling
• Burn < 10% total body surface area.
• Evidence of active infection on admission in the burn subjects.
• < 19 years of age and > 70 years