Sepsis--frequently called 'blood poisoning'--is the number one cause of death in critically ill patients and is caused by overwhelming infection. Currently, sepsis remains without an effective specific treatment strategy; however, new findings out of UHN, St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Ottawa harness the immune-regulating power of stem cells to improve clinical outcome in this devastating disease.

Recent findings out of the Arthritis and Autoimmunity Research Centre (AARC) and TGRI uncover a new population of immune cells--late-activator antigen presenting cells (LAPC)--that may play a pivotal role in regulating resistance against pulmonary influenza A virus infections. The influenza A virus primarily affects organs and tissues responsible for breathing; and once infected, these viruses grow rapidly in number (within hours of first exposure) sending the immune system into a tail spin.

The July 2010 issue of Net Results EXPRESS is online and features discoveries in the battle again influenza A virus; the use of stem cells against sepsis and cardiac risks among Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with pre-existing heart disease.