Disseminated intravascular coagulation, antithrombin III, and complement in meningococcal infections.

Serial assessments of some blood coagulation factors, antithrombin III (AT III), and complement were made in 18 patients with meningococcal (mgc) infection. All patients displayed laboratory evidence of activation of the blood clotting system. Two patients showed clinical signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Only AT III differed significantly between patients with and without complications. There was no correlation between changes in blood clotting, activation of the complement system and the course or duration of the disease. These results do not enable one t identify patients who need specific prophylactic therapy. Controlled clinical trials, including administration of heparin, dextran, aprotinin, and others, are still required to ensure optimal treatment in fulminant mgc infections.