Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to an infection. Though many people may not be aware of it, sepsis is one of the primary causes of death throughout the world, it is estimated that one in every five deaths worldwide is associated with sepsis.¹

Sepsis is a global burden and a major health problem because of its high mortality, morbidity, and high incidence. It affects around 49 million people each year, leading to more than 11 million deaths.² Sepsis can lead to severe sepsis and septic shock. Approximately 30% of patients diagnosed with severe sepsis do not survive, ³ and up to 50% of survivors suffer from post-sepsis syndrome. It progresses rapidly, and life-saving efforts can have negative impacts on long-term challenges like antimicrobial resistance. In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared sepsis as a Global Health Priority.⁴

Learn more about sepsis for healthcare professionals in our Medical Education section.

Sepsis can be caused by bacteria, virus, or fungi. There are four types of infections that are most often linked to sepsis: lung infections such as pneumonia, skin infections, gut infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Different types of bacteria can cause these infections, but the most common bacteria associated with sepsis are Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. The most common underlying cause of sepsis-related death is lower respiratory infections causing pneumonia.⁵

Anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection can lead to sepsis. However, there are some groups of risk who may be more likely to get sepsis, mainly because they are at a higher risk.

The six typical sepsis indicators include:

• Slurred speech or confusion
• Extreme shivering or muscle pain, fever
• Passing no urine all day
• Severe breathlessness
• Extreme pain and discomfort
• Skin mottled or discolored 

Since these symptoms are non-specific and can be confused with other conditions, sepsis is often difficult to recognize and diagnose at early stages, when it is still potentially reversible.⁷

As is the case in any medical emergency, accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment are critical to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. Until a cure for sepsis is found, early detection and treatment are essential for survival and to limiting disability caused by sepsis to survivors.⁷

Initiating and adapting therapy in a timely manner reduces mortality and lowers incidence and severity of long-term symptoms (post-sepsis syndrome).⁸ It potentially limits unnecessary tests and treatments, shortens hospital stays, and supports antimicrobial stewardship.

In a race against the clock, culture-based diagnosis is not fast enough, and so, in recent years, major efforts have been made to find solutions that allow rapid and accurate diagnosis of this disease. Timely diagnosis is required to adjust treatment, and the delayed results of traditional bacterial cultures and AST remain one of the major barriers to the prompt initiation of appropriate therapy.

Early detection and treatment are absolutely essential to improve both the human and economic impact of sepsis.

Optimize antibiotic therapy for better patient care and enhanced sepsis management in your institution with the bioMérieux Sepsis Solution.

Our comprehensive diagnostics solution is backed up by advanced analytics, services, and educational modules to help hospital and laboratories overcome their challenges, reinforced by our promise to be a committed service partner for all our products from consultancy to installation, connectivity, training, verification, and customer service, to help you on optimized time to therapy for better patient care.