Health Encyclopedia

Sepsis

Definition

Sepsis is a severe illness caused by overwhelming infection of the bloodstream by toxin-producing bacteria.

Alternative Names

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Sepsis is caused by bacterial infection that can originate anywhere in the body. Common sites include the following:

The kidneys (upper urinary tract infection)
The liver or the gall bladder
The bowel (usually seen with peritonitis)
The skin (cellulitis)
The lungs (bacterial pneumonia)

Meningitis may also be accompanied by sepsis. In children, sepsis may accompany infection of the bone (osteomyelitis). In hospitalized patients, common sites of infection include intravenous lines, surgical wounds, surgical drains, and sites of skin breakdown known as decubitus ulcers or bedsores.

The infection is often confirmed by a positive blood culture, though blood cultures may be negative in individuals who have been receiving antibiotics. In sepsis, blood pressure drops, resulting in shock. Major organs and systems, including the kidneys, liver, lungs, and central nervous system, stop functioning normally.

A change in mental status and hyperventilation may be the earliest signs of impending sepsis.

Sepsis is often life-threatening, especially in people with a weakened immune system or other medical illnesses.

Symptoms

Fever or hypothermia (low body temperature)
Hyperventilation
Chills
Shaking
Warm skin
Skin rash
Rapid heart beat
Confusion or delirium
Decreased urine output

Signs and tests

White blood cell count that is low or high
Platelet count that is low
Blood culture that is positive for bacteria
Blood gases that reveal acidosis
Kidney function tests that are abnormal (early in the course of disease)

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

Peripheral smear may demonstrate a low platelet count and destruction of red blood cells.
Fibrin degradation products are often elevated, a condition that may be associated with a tendency to bleed.
Blood differential -- with immature white blood cells seen

Treatment

Septic patients usually require monitoring in an intensive care unit (ICU). "Broad spectrum" intravenous antibiotic therapy should be initiated as soon as sepsis is suspected.

The number of antibiotics administered may be decreased when the results of blood cultures become available and the causative organism is identified. The source of the infection should be discovered, if possible, which may mean further diagnostic testing. Sources such as infected intravenous lines or surgical drains should be removed, and sources such as abscesses should be surgically drained.

Supportive therapy with oxygen, intravenous fluids, and medications that increase blood pressure may be required for a good outcome. Dialysis may be necessary in the event of kidney failure, and mechanical ventilation is often required if respiratory failure occurs.

Expectations (prognosis)

The death rate can be as high as 60% for people with underlying medical problems. Mortality is less (but still significant) in individuals without other medical problems.

Complications

Septic shock
Impaired blood flow to vital organs (brain, heart, kidneys)
Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Review Date:8/8/2006
Reviewed By:D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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