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 < .01) in patients in shock for more than 4 h, but only Factor B correlated with C3 (r = 0.85; p < .01) in patients in shock for 4 h or less. C3 and Factor B levels were significantly (p < .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.
