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. 2016 May 17;13(5):e1002022.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002022. eCollection 2016 May.

The Clinical Challenge of Sepsis Identification and Monitoring

Affiliations

The Clinical Challenge of Sepsis Identification and Monitoring

Jean-Louis Vincent. PLoS Med. .

Abstract

Jean-Louis Vincent outlines why combinations of biomarkers will be central to the future of sepsis diagnosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author has declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Diagnosing sepsis from infection.
An infection can be identified from clinical signs and microbiology findings, providing a diagnosis of sepsis if organ dysfunction is also present. CRP: C-reactive protein; PCT: procalcitonin.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Diagnosing sepsis from organ dysfunction.
In critically ill patients, infection can be difficult to identify (see text), and sepsis is often suspected by the presence of unexplained organ dysfunction, which should lead to a search for the underlying infection. CRP: C-reactive protein; PCT: procalcitonin.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Simplification of the host response to an infection.
Injury (via DAMPs) and infection (via PAMPs) can stimulate the same inflammatory reaction via the PRRs. HMGB: high mobility group box protein; HSP: heat shock protein.

References

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