We have recently developed a simple method of plasma free DNA detection, which enables us to distinguish between apoptotic and genomic (necrotic) DNA. After applying this method to the critically ill, we revealed apoptotic DNA on the day of admission to be higher than later when multiple-organ failure developed. Moreover, apoptotic DNA contributed to total plasma DNA much more than DNA from necrotic cells and its increase predicted future development of multiple-organ failure and death.

Department of Anesthesiology and Surgery CCM 3rd Faculty of Medicine Charles University Srobárova 50 100 34 Prague 10 Czech Republic