Stem cell therapy may help fight deadly infection

A study suggests that commonly used type of bone marrow stem cell may be able to help treat sepsis, a deadly condition that can occur when an infection spreads throughout the body.

Researchers Dr Duncan Stewart, Dr Arthur Slutsky and Dr W Conrad Liles in Ottawa and Toronto said that a type of bone marrow stem cell may be able to help treat sepsis.

In a study of mice treated with the cells, the results showed that after five days, 50% of the animals that received the cells were alive, compared to just 15% of the control animals that did not receive the cells.

"About a quarter of patients with severe sepsis die, and there are very few specific therapies for this devastating condition. That's why this study is potentially important." said Dr. Slutsky.

The study is published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.