The mean plasma uPA activity of the septic shock non-survivors was 47.2 ± 40.6 units, which was significantly higher than that of the septic shock survivors (27.6 ± 17.2 units, P = 0.001) but comparable to that of the patients with pneumonia without organ dysfunction (44.3 ± 17.9 units, P = 0.243). The gene discussed is PLAU; the disease is pneumonia.