Low circulating levels of fibronectin in patients with sepsis: Its prognostic value

Abstract

This prospective clinical study was performed to demonstrate the diagnostic and prognostic role of fibronectin in septicaemia as an acute phase protein. The study consisted of 20 patients with septicaemia. Blood cultures revealed Staphylococcus aureus in 13 individuals, Streptococcus pneumoniae in four, and Klebsiella pneumoniae in three. Fibronectin levels were significantly lower (p<0.001) in patients with sepsis as compared to healthy controls. The patients who responded to treatment had a significant increase in fibronectin levels, which did not occur in the non-responder group. We conclude that fibronectin is a valuable parameter for the diagnosis and prognosis of septicaemia.