Hageman factor dependent activation and its relationship to lethal Pseudomonas aeruginosa burn wound infections.

Trauma causes increases in total protease load in the circulation of the traumatized host animal or patient. This increase is due, in part, to Hageman Factor activation followed by down-line cascade system activation. Concomitant with the activation of these systems is a reduced host capacity to resist infection. Infection superimposed on a traumatized host increases the total host protease load even more by additional activation of Hageman Factor and cascade systems.