Rotation Thromboelastography for the Detection and Characterization of Lipoteichoid Acid-Induced Activation of Haemostasis in an In Vitro Sepsis Model

OBJECTIVES:

In gram-positive sepsis, lipoteichoic acid (LTA) can induce alterations of haemostasis, potentially leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Here, we demonstrate the effects of LTA on haemostasis in an in vitro model of gram-positive sepsis based on rotation thromboelastrography (ROTEM).

RESULTS:

In this model, LTA leads to time- and dose-dependent shortening of the clotting time (CT), whereas other ROTEM parameters are unaffected. Following heat shock simulation, the LTA effect was blunted with equal CTs in the presence and in the absence of LTA. In addition, the shortening of CT by LTA was inhibited by addition of the protein synthesis inhibitor.

CONCLUSION:

Our work demonstrates that the ROTEM system is capable of detecting the LTA effect on haemostasis and provides a sensitive in vitro tool for research into the links between gram-positive sepsis and coagulation.