CD34+ platelets were significantly decreased in patients with sepsis as compared to controls, for both single and clustered platelets (2.6 + 3.6 and 9.4 + 1.8% CD34+ plts vs. 24.4 + 12.3 and 80.1 + 2.4% His3+ plts, respectively). The gene discussed is CD34; the disease is Sepsis.