Degradation of albumin in meningococcal sepsis.

We postulate that the proteolytic degradation of albumin into fragments could link the rapidity of the shock, rash, and hypocalcaemia associated with meningococcal sepsis. We examined urine of children with meningococcal disease and urine from control children with no sepsis and found albumin fragments of about 45 kDa, 25 kDa, and less than 20 kDa only in the urine of children with meningococcal sepsis and associated purpura. Exogenous or endogenous proteases, or both, may be released in severe meningococcal sepsis and, in association with an inadequate antiprotease response, result in albumin degradation. This may be a contributory factor to the rapid shock, hypocalcaemia, and rash seen in meningococcal sepsis.