The central importance of HLA-DR in immune homeostasis
suggests that it may be an important factor underlying
the increased risk of infection in malnourished patients.
Both Hershman and Polk have shown that the ability of
monocytes to express HLA-DR antigen correlates directly
with the clinical course in trauma patients and is predictive
for the outcome with respect to both infection and death
(26, 27). D/3cke described that monocytic deactivation in
septic patients was associated with a much higher mortality
(17).