Opsonic Glycoprotein (Plasma Fibronectin) Levels after Burn Injury Relationship to Extent of Burn and Development of Sepsis

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Abstract
The time course of immunoreactive and bioassayable opsonic .alpha.2-SB [surface binding] glycoprotein (plasma fibronectin), and its relationship to the extent of injury and development of postburn sepsis, was evaluated following burn injury [in humans]. Immunoreactive opsonic fibronectin was depleted acutely within hours following burn; its maximal depletion occurring 12 h postburn injury. The magnitude of depletion was correlated with the body surface area burned; normal levels were restored at 24 h postinjury. There was a tendency towards rebound hyperopsonemia at 2 wk postburn, with a slow return to normal over the ensuing weeks. Bioassayable opsonic protein levels, in general, paralleled those of immunoreactive protein. Following restoration of opsonic protein levels, a secondary phase of opsonic fibronectin deficiency (P < 0.05) developed in those burn patients that became septic. This opsonic fibronectin deficiency actually became apparent prior to the onset of clinical sepsis, although it was maximal during sepsis. The resolution of the septic episode was associated with the return of plasma opsonic fibronectin levels to normal. The possibility that secondary deficiency in immunoreactive opsonic fibronectin may be a reliable index of impending sepsis following burn warrants further investigation.