Low‐grade endotoxemia and clotting activation in the early phase of pneumonia

At admission, CAP patients showed higher plasma levels of F₁₊₂ , a marker of thrombin generation (P = 0.023), and lower levels of protein C (PC; P < 0.001) and activated PC (aPC) (P < 0.001) compared with controls. At discharge, plasma levels of both PC and aPC significantly increased while F₁₊₂ significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Baseline serum endotoxins and zonulin were higher in CAP patients than controls (P < 0.001) and significantly decreased at discharge; a significant correlation between serum endotoxins and zonulin was detected (R = 0.575; P < 0.001) CONCLUSION: This study provides the first evidence that CAP patients disclose an ongoing pro-thrombotic state and suggests a role for endotoxemia in determining enhanced thrombin generation.