PTX3 and Shock: In the present study, we revealed that (1) the PTX3 concentrations were remarkably raised within 24 h after admission to ICU, compared with healthy volunteers, particularly in patients with septic shock; (2) higher PTX3 were related with higher mortality; and (3) the PTX3 levels were closely associated with the number and degree of organ dysfunctions, as indicated by the correlations among PTX3 and the SOFA scores for all sub-groups as well as severity parameters.