Effect of nonviable tissue and abscesses on complement depletion and the development of bacteremia

Complement concentrations and blood cultures were compared in 58 patients within 24 hours of injury and weekly thereafter. Extensive amounts of nonviable tissue (n = 40) were associated with a mean depletion of C4, C3, and C5 by 56%, and minor injuries (n = 18) by 22% of normal concentration within 14 hours after injury. The C4, C3, and C5 concentrations returned to normal or above within a week after minor injuries, but not following major injuries. However, C4, c3, and C5 levels remained depressed after major injuries unless necrotic tissue was removed or abscesses were drained. If complement concentration was below 50% of normal for more than a week all patients developed bacteremia. Following debridement or drainage complement returned to normal in 11 patients and blood cultures became negative in seven. Possible consequences by activation and altered availability of complement for chemotaxis, opsonization, and lysis of bacteria have been analyzed and related to the development of bacteremia.