Abstract

Serious bacterial infection, including eight episodes of bacteraemia, developed in seven of 15 (47%) children with fulminant hepatic failure. Those with infections had a slightly higher leucocyte response than those who did not. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations were normal or raised in all patients. Opsonisation of heat-killed baker's yeast, functionally measured total haemolytic complement, C4, C5, total alternative pathway activity, factor B and D activity, and C3 concentrations were all significantly (p less than 0.005) reduced at presentation but returned to normal in those who survived. The severity of defects in yeast opsonisation, C4, and factor B activity at presentation were significantly correlated with the subsequent development of infection. In five patients bacteraemia occurred at a time when opsonisation and complement components were defective. Plasma infusions in vivo improved opsonisation in vitro and only one bacterial isolate was obtained within four days of such an infusion. Those patients who developed infection had received significantly (p less than 0.05) fewer plasma infusions than those who did not. Our findings suggest that both alternative and classical pathways of complement are defective in children with severe liver disease and may contribute to the susceptibility of such patients to infections. Plasma infusions might be useful in reducing the incidence of bacterial infection in such conditions.