title: Role of complement in multiorgan failure.
abstract: Multiorgan failure (MOF) represents the leading cause of death in patients with sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) following severe trauma. The underlying immune response is highly complex and involves activation of the complement system as a crucial entity of innate immunity. Uncontrolled activation of the complement system during sepsis and SIRS with in excessive generation of complement activation products contributes to an ensuing dysfunction of various organ systems. In the present review, mechanisms of the inflammatory response in the development of MOF in sepsis and SIRS with particular focus on the complement system are discussed.
authors: Division of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. drittirsch@googlemail.com
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Rittirsch
authors: Heinz
authors: H
authors: Redl
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Huber-Lang
mesh_terms: D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000276:immunology*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000276:immunology; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D003165:Complement System Proteins