Interpreting Laboratory Tests in Infection: Making Sense of Biomarkers in Sepsis and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome for Intensive Care Unit Patients

Abstract

Sepsis and severe sepsis are leading causes of death in the United States and the most common causes of death among critically ill patients in noncoronary intensive care units. Diagnosis of infection and sepsis is a subjective clinical judgment based on the criteria for systemic inflammatory reaction, which is highly sensitive, not specific, and often misleading in intensively treated patients. Biomarkers are emerging as adjuncts to traditional diagnostic measures. No biomarkers have sufficient specificity or sensitivity to be routinely used in clinical practice, but they can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of infection versus inflammation.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Infection; Inflammation; Intensive care; SIRS; Sepsis.