Often complicated by vascular collapse, disseminated intravascular coagulation or vascular leak syndrome.
Lipopolysaccharide may be responsible for the endothelial damage.
Multiple organ failure is a frequent complication and is characterized by microvascular injury and vascular endothelial permeability.
Bacterial cell wall endotoxin, proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory proteins are released from cells which up-regulate coagulation proteases.
Coagulation proteases such as thrombin stimulate inflammatory cytokines which then propagates the procoagulant state with DIC, multiple organ failure and death.