Tests to Rapidly Diagnose Sepsis Essential: Diagnostic That Can Quickly Detect Infection Could Speed Treatment and Improve Outcome

摘要

Sepsis is a major healthcare problem. There are approximately 750,000 cases of sepsis each year in the U.S. and the number is growing. Sepsis results from complex interactions between infecting microorganisms and host immune, inflammatory, and coagulation responses. Severe sepsis is defined as sepsis with organ dysfunction. Severe sepsis with hypotension, despite adequate fluid resuscitation, is septic shock. Septic shock and multiorgan dysfunction are the most common causes of death in sepsis patients. Mortality associated with severe sepsis remains unacceptably high—20 to 50%. When shock is present, mortality is even higher—40 to 60%.