Diagnosis of sepsis: which clinical and laboratory biomarkers are useful?

Abstract

The quest for a definitive diagnostic tool for sepsis has spanned decades, yet it remains elusive. The diagnostic workup of sepsis is inherently complex, involving dozens of biochemical, hematologic, and immunologic parameters, alongside complex microbiological diagnostics. Over the past decade, the integration of omics technologies has further complicated this diagnostic landscape. Despite these advancements, clinical assessment remains the gold standard for the diagnostic workup of sepsis. This work provides an overview of selected diagnostic biomarkers that are deemed readily applicable in routine clinical practice, extending applicability beyond highly specialized university hospitals. Verifying the reliability and clinical utility of diagnostic parameters generally takes several years, and often is more challenging in patients with sepsis, as compared with other cohorts, because of the complexity of this condition. Nevertheless, the integration of new technologies, the expanded use of bedside diagnostics, and advancements in omics technologies are propelling us toward the realization of personalized medicine and theranostics.