Abstract
Severe infections and sepsis are common causes of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units. Clinical and laboratory signs of systemic inflammation such as changes in body temperature, leukocytosis, and tachycardia are frequently used for the diagnosis of infection or sepsis [1]. However, these signs and symptoms are neither specific nor sensitive for infection or sepsis. Various other and non-microbial infection related aetiologies of systemic inflammation may induce these symptoms. For example, patients suffering from pancreatitis, major trauma or burns present with a similar inflammatory response even in the absence of infectious complications. On the other hand, bacteriological evidence of infection, though definitive and specific, may not develop concurrently with clinical signs of sepsis.
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Meisner, M., Reinhart, K. (2000). Are There Useful New Markers of Sepsis?. In: Baue, A.E., Berlot, G., Gullo, A., Vincent, JL. (eds) Sepsis and Organ Dysfunction. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2284-3_15
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2284-3_15
Publisher Name: Springer, Milano
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