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PubMed · 3635466

Complement activation in septic shock patients.

C L Sprung·D R Schultz·E Marcial·P V Caralis·M A Gelbard·P I Arnold·W M Long
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Abstract

To evaluate the status of the complement system and to determine the effects of corticosteroids on complement component levels in septic shock, C3, C4, and Factor B were measured in 42 patients with severe late septic shock. Serum levels of C4 and Factor B correlated with C3 levels (r = 0.48 and 0.64, respectively; p less than .01) in patients in shock for more than 4 h, but only Factor B correlated with C3 (r = 0.85; p less than .01) in patients in shock for 4 h or less. C3 and Factor B levels were significantly (p less than .05) lower in patients who died (12,174 +/- 1,524 CH50 U/ml and 14 +/- 1 mg/dl, respectively) than in patients who survived (18,418 +/- 2,833 CH50 U/ml and 21 +/- 2 mg/dl, respectively). Corticosteroids did not alter complement component levels. The alternative pathway appears to be activated early in septic shock, whereas the classical pathway is activated later. C3 and Factor B levels may predict survival of patients in septic shock. In this study, corticosteroids did not change the complement component levels of patients in late severe septic shock.

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Complement ActivationComplement C3Complement C4Complement Factor BComplement Pathway, AlternativeComplement Pathway, ClassicalHumansMiddle AgedShock, SepticJournal Article

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C L Sprung, D R Schultz, E Marcial, P V Caralis, M A Gelbard, P I Arnold, W M Long. 1986. Complement activation in septic shock patients.. https://doi.org/10.1097/00003246-198606000-00001

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