Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening illness. Your body's response to a bacterial infection usually causes it. Your immune system goes into overdrive, overwhelming normal processes in your blood. The result is that small blood clots form, blocking blood flow to vital organs. This can lead to organ failure. Babies, old people and those with weakened immune systems are most likely to get sepsis. But even healthy people can become deathly ill from it.

Everything You Need To Know About Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening systemic response to an infection. This article provides an overview of sepsis, including stages, diagnosis and treatment.

Sepsis Diagnosis

Causes and Symptoms of Sepsis in Newborns

Diagnosis and Treatment of Sepsis in Newborns

Sepsis Prevention

Recovering from Sepsis

Sepsis Epidemiology

Sepsis Pathophysiology

Sepsis at the Molecular Level

Sepsis and Pregnancy

Sepsis: Identifying the Signs and Administering First Aid

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Sepsis

See more featured articles »

Sepsis Complications and Prevention

The Stages of Sepsis

How Antimicrobial Resistance Amplifies the Burden of Sepsis

Lactate Levels and Sepsis

Sepsis and Influenza

Sepsis History

The Development of a Sepsis Scoring System in a Murine Model

Latest Sepsis News and Research

Elevated uric acid levels may contribute to severe malaria outcomes in children

Indiana University School of Medicine researchers and their collaborators in Uganda at the Makerere University School of Medicine have uncovered a significant connection between elevated uric acid levels and life-threatening outcomes in children with severe malaria.

27 Jan 2025

Dying cells trigger a lethal cascade in sepsis

Like a poison pen, dying cells prick their neighbors with a lethal message. This may worsen sepsis, Vijay Rathinam and colleagues in the UConn School of Medicine report in the Jan. 23 issue of Cell. Their findings could lead to a new understanding of this dangerous illness.

25 Jan 2025

New compound V-161 offers hope in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

V-161, a novel compound targeting the Na+ -V-ATPase enzyme in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), significantly reduces bacterial growth and colonization.

23 Jan 2025

Boosting BCL6 may counteract muscle loss from GLP-1 medications

About one in eight adults in the United States has tried or currently uses a GLP-1 medication, and a quarter of those users cite weight loss as their main goal.

23 Jan 2025

The diverse immunological functions of megakaryocytes

Megakaryocytes (MKs), known for their role in platelet production, have emerged as critical players in immune responses, showcasing versatility in both physiological and pathological contexts.

17 Jan 2025

No short-term benefit found for PCT-guided antibiotic treatment in children

A groundbreaking UK study in The Lancet has examined whether an additional blood test called procalcitonin (PCT) could safely shorten the time children spend on intravenous (IV) antibiotics in hospitals.

15 Jan 2025

Scientists uncover genetic secrets of Staphylococcus aureus survival in humans

The most detailed study to date on the mechanisms by which a common type of bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, adapts to living on the human body could help improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of certain infections.

13 Jan 2025

Procalcitonin test fails to shorten antibiotic use in hospitalized children

A groundbreaking UK study led by the University of Liverpool has examined whether an additional blood test called procalcitonin (PCT) could safely shorten the time children spend on intravenous (IV) antibiotics in hospitals.

9 Jan 2025

Ozone therapy shows promise in treating sepsis-induced lung injury

Sepsis, a severe and often fatal complication of infection, is a leading cause of both ALI and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

27 Dec 2024

New prediction model improves early detection of infected pancreatic necrosis

A new prediction model for infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) offers a groundbreaking approach to improving patient outcomes.

20 Dec 2024

AI-driven tool revolutionizes placenta examination at bedside

The placenta, the temporary organ grown to support fetal development, plays a vital role during pregnancy and contains crucial information about the health of both the parent and the baby.

17 Dec 2024

Breakthrough discovery could lead to effective vaccine for S. aureus

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections that can sometimes lead to sepsis and toxic shock syndrome.

16 Dec 2024

AI tool could revolutionize placenta examination and improve neonatal care

A newly developed tool that harnesses computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) may help clinicians rapidly evaluate placentas at birth, potentially improving neonatal and maternal care, according to new research from scientists at Northwestern Medicine and Penn State.

14 Dec 2024

New biomarker testing protocol could shorten antibiotic treatment for sepsis

A major UK patient trial of a new biomarker testing protocol for sepsis, led by University of Manchester researchers, has shown it is possible to safely stop antibiotic treatment earlier than current care.

10 Dec 2024

Potential new treatment for motor neurone disease shows promising results

A potential new treatment for motor neurone disease (MND) developed by a company spun-out of The University of Queensland has produced successful results in a human clinical trial.

9 Dec 2024

Vancouver study reveals surge in severe Shigella cases in homeless population

A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases has uncovered an increase in severe multidrug-resistant (MDR) Shigella sonnei infections, particularly among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in Vancouver, Canada.

6 Dec 2024

Study reveals non-invasive technique for early detection of sepsis

Clinicians lack methods for early detection of sepsis, a dysregulated response to infection that can result in life-threatening organ failure if treatment is delayed.

4 Dec 2024

Type 2 diabetes doubles infection-related mortality and exposes gaps in health reporting

People with type 2 diabetes face a significantly higher risk of infection-related deaths, particularly in younger age groups, with infections accounting for 13% of deaths compared to 1.2% in conventional records.

3 Dec 2024

Upcoding practices by hospitals lead to billions in extra payments

In five states over nearly a decade, hospitals have increased how frequently they document patients as needing the highest intensity care, which has led to hospitals receiving billions in extra payments from health plans and government programs, according to a new RAND study.

3 Dec 2024

Nanozyme breakthrough offers new hope for viral pneumonia treatment

A recent study in Nature Materials introduces an inhalable nanozyme treatment for viral pneumonia, showing promising results in reducing inflammation and viral load in various mouse models. The nanozyme, CeTA-K1tkP, demonstrates broad-spectrum effects and biocompatibility, offering a potential new approach to treating pneumonia and other inflammatory conditions.

3 Dec 2024