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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells
Published on: January 29, 2014
Coagulation and complement protein differences between septic and uninfected systemic inflammatory response syndrome
Matthew E Lissauer1, Steven B Johnson, Gary Siuzdak
1R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore 21201, USA. mlissauer@umm.edu
Early sepsis detection is possible by analyzing plasma protein profiles. This study identified distinct protein differences in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) who later developed sepsis versus those who remained uninfected.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Proteomics
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a complex host response to injury.
- Emerging evidence links inflammation, complement activation, and coagulation pathways.
- Distinguishing early sepsis from SIRS-only is clinically challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma protein profile differences between septic and uninfected SIRS patients.
- To identify potential biomarkers for early sepsis diagnosis before clinical manifestation.
- To explore the role of complement and coagulation in early sepsis.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of intensive care unit patients meeting SIRS criteria.
- Daily plasma sample collection from patients who developed sepsis (pre-septic) and those who did not (SIRS-only).
- 3D liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for protein profiling after immunodepletion and trypsin digestion.
Main Results:
- 134 unique proteins showed significant differences between the groups.
- A substantial proportion of these proteins (23.5%) mapped to complement and coagulation cascades.
- Complement pathways (classic, lectin) were significantly over-represented in pre-septic patients (p<0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Novel mass spectrometry identified distinct plasma proteomic signatures in early sepsis.
- Differential protein expression, particularly in complement and coagulation, can precede clinical sepsis diagnosis.
- These findings support proteomic analysis as a tool for early sepsis detection.
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