Provided are methods of using gelsolin and active fragments thereof to neutralize, treat or prevent the pathogenic effects of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) toxins released from gram-positive bacteria, including massive activation of inflammatory response in a patient and the resulting lethal septic shock. The provided gelsolin binds to and neutralizes LTA from various bacteria, as well as eukaryotic acidic lysolipids adversely associated with bacterial sepsis and inflammation in the patient, with high affinity, thereby decreasing circulating LTA and the eukaryotic markers, and negating the deleterious biological effects of the gram-positive bacterial infection. Consequently, the provided gelsolin replacement therapy offers a method and compositions for the prevention of bacterial sepsis-induced mortality in the patient.
