[The interconnection between the severity of meningococcal infection and the endotoxicity levels and patient's blood complement].

Seventy-eight patients with severe systemic meningococcal disease admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Second Moscow Hospital for Infectious Diseases were divided into four groups by complications of their disease: patients with refractory septic shock (RSS)--group 1; patients with early septic shock (ESS)--group 2; patients without shock but with severe mental disorders--group 3; patients without any of these complications--group 4. The LPS concentration in plasma was assessed by chromogenic method. Initial LPS levels in plasma of group 3 or group 4 patients (170 ng/l, median value and 360 ng/l, respectively) were greater than those of healthy donors (LPS < 15 ng/l).