[Behavior of complement factors and plasma proteins in burns]

The behaviour of three complement components (C3, C4 and C3 activator), alpha 1, alpha 2, IgA, IgG, IgM, total proteins, and gamma globulins was followed 114 patients at the C.T.O. Turin, Burns Centre with burns covering from 15% to over 70% of the body surface. Forty-two died within a relatively short time. In the remaining 72, the parameters were studied almost daily for over 30 days, or even until a final cure was obtained. The complement data and, more particularly, the distinct increased in alpha-globulins made it clear that burns can be acute inflammations. In addition, initial immune depression is followed by a prompt response of the complement system (responsible for aspecific immunity). That this change is vital in the progress of the disease may be deduced from the fact that complement component levels were constantly below normal in the patients who died.