Abstract
Plasma fibronectin and a fragment of the third component of complement (C3b) are both opsonins of the reticulo-endothelial system. Twenty patients undergoing uncomplicated gastro-intestinal surgery were studied. There was a significant reduction in plasma fibronectin and total haemolytic complement, but not C3, in the early postoperative period (days 1 to 3). In six surgical patients critically ill with severe sepsis both plasma fibronectin concentrations and C3 concentration were reduced significantly when compared with the early postoperative period of uncomplicated surgery. In addition, in the critically ill patients, direct evidence of complement activation was demonstrated. These studies show a transient reduction of humoral host defence mechanisms following surgery which may be permissive to bacteraemia and complement activation.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.