Barbara Steblaj

1 INTRODUCTION The microcirculation, which includes vessels less than 100 μm in diameter, is considered the most important site for the exchange of oxygen and nutrients between blood and tissue.1 Bacterial endotoxins play an important role in microcirculatory dysfunction by triggering the release of pro-inflammatory mediators.2 In this context, there may be endothelial dysfunction, neutrophil–endothelial cell adhesion,3 activation of the coagulation system with the formation of microthrombi4...

1. Introduction Anaphylaxis is a serious, life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction characterized by a rapid onset, and manifests primarily with skin, airway, and circulatory changes. In humans, Hymenoptera venom (bee, wasp, ant) is recognized as one of the most frequent triggers of anaphylaxis with a prevalence ranging from 0.3 to 7.5% [1,2]. The same holds true for the dog [3,4].

1. Introduction Endotoxemia and sepsis are associated with very high mortality rates in people and dogs despite existing guidelines to treat sepsis in people [1]. A prothrombotic state is induced early in sepsis to fight against bacteria [2,3]. This initially prothrombotic state may lead to microthrombosis, organ dysfunction and the depletion of platelets and coagulation factors due to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) with consequent bleeding disorders.