About this Research Topic
Sepsis is a complex disease characterized by organ failures as consequence of a deregulated host response to infection. It has been recently recognized as a global health priority by the World Health Organization due to its high mortality and morbidity. The causes of increased incidence of sepsis include the aging of the population, the performance of more invasive procedures and the continuing emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.
Sepsis diagnosis still represents a challenge for clinicians since it is characterized, mainly in the initial stages, by non-specific clinical signs and symptoms. Timely identification of sepsis and prompt treatment are crucial to prevent adverse outcomes and reduce mortality. It has been estimated that each hour of treatment delay is associated with a 7–10% increase in sepsis-related mortality. In this context, sepsis biomarkers could represent a precious tool in early identification of a patient at risk of sepsis. Furthermore, biomarkers provide valuable information on the course and prognosis of sepsis and provide reliable indications to guide any antibiotic therapy.
Over the last few decades, more than 250 biomarkers of sepsis and inflammation have been identified and evaluated, but none has sufficient specificity or sensitivity to differentiate between sepsis, septic shock, and sepsis-like syndrome. A panel of different sepsis biomarkers along with currently used laboratory tests may be more effective than single biomarkers. However, significant work is still needed to identify the optimal combinations of them.
This Special Issue will address the current advances in sepsis biomarkers.
Sepsis diagnosis still represents a challenge for clinicians since it is characterized, mainly in the initial stages, by non-specific clinical signs and symptoms. Timely identification of sepsis and prompt treatment are crucial to prevent adverse outcomes and reduce mortality. It has been estimated that each hour of treatment delay is associated with a 7–10% increase in sepsis-related mortality. In this context, sepsis biomarkers could represent a precious tool in early identification of a patient at risk of sepsis. Furthermore, biomarkers provide valuable information on the course and prognosis of sepsis and provide reliable indications to guide any antibiotic therapy.
Over the last few decades, more than 250 biomarkers of sepsis and inflammation have been identified and evaluated, but none has sufficient specificity or sensitivity to differentiate between sepsis, septic shock, and sepsis-like syndrome. A panel of different sepsis biomarkers along with currently used laboratory tests may be more effective than single biomarkers. However, significant work is still needed to identify the optimal combinations of them.
This Special Issue will address the current advances in sepsis biomarkers.
Keywords: Biomarkers, Sepsis, Inflammation, Septic Shock
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
