Methods
The serum levels of lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and procalcitonin (PCT), the expression of HLA-DR on monocytes and the production of tumor necrotizing factor by monocytes stimulated ex vivo by lipopolysaccharide were measured in a group of 68 patients with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), sepsis or septic shock (diagnosed according to ACCP consensus criteria).