title: Activation of the intrinsic pathway of coagulation in children with meningococcal septic shock.
abstract: Meningococcal septic shock (MSS) is complicated by activation of coagulation, fibrinolytic, and complement systems. We studied the contact system of the intrinsic pathway of coagulation in thirteen children with MSS. Activation was assessed upon admittance to the intensive care unit and 48 h thereafter, based on the measurement of factor XII- (FXII), prekallikrein- and factor XI (FXI) antigen levels, as well as on the detection of FXIa-FXIa inhibitor, FXIIa-C1-inhibitor, and kallikrein-C1-inhibitor complexes, respectively. Levels of FXII, prekallikrein and FXI were reduced to about 50% in all patients on admission, and were significantly higher 48 h later. FXIIa-C1-inhibitor complexes were elevated in 7 patients, and kallikrein-C1-inhibitor complexes in 2 patients. FXIa-alpha 1-antitrypsin complexes were elevated in all patients, FXIa-C1-inhibitor complexes in nine, and FXIa-antithrombin III complexes in one patient. We conclude that patients with MSS have activation of the contact system, which may contribute to activation of coagulation, and thus to morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Wuillemin
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fijnvandraat
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Derkx
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vreede
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: ten Cate
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Hack
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005172:Factor XI / Q000276:immunology; D005174:Factor XII / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D011288:Prekallikrein / Q000276:immunology; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D013917:Thrombin / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D005174:Factor XII; D005172:Factor XI; D011288:Prekallikrein; D013917:Thrombin