Anaphylotoxin levels following thermal injury

Following thermal injury, anaphylotoxins (C3a and C5a) are generated by complement activity. We measured C3a and C5a levels serially in 18 seriously burned patients (mean burn size = 37.9 per cent body surface area) over the initial 3 weeks following injury. Values for C3a were significantly increased when compared with normal controls, with maximum levels during the second week, while C5a levels were slightly elevated initially. These levels did not correlate with the extent of tissue injury, the development of septic complications or the clinical outcome. However, it appears likely that C3a and C5a may be responsible for some of the pathophysiological alterations observed following thermal injury.