Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome usually caused by bacterial infection. Sepsis is a response of the body's immune system that results in organ dysfunction or failure. The systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria were recently replaced by the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) in 2016, allowing for quick bedside analysis of organ dysfunction in patients with suspected or documented infection. The qSOFA score includes a respiratory rate of 22 breaths/minute or more, systolic blood pressure of 100 mm Hg or less, and altered level of consciousness.[1, 2] For completeness, severe sepsis is defined as sepsis complicated by organ dysfunction.
Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is characterized by progressive organ dysfunction in a severely ill patient, with failure to maintain homeostasis without intervention. It is the end stage in infectious conditions (sepsis, septic shock) and noninfectious conditions (eg, SIRS due to pancreatitis). The greater the number of organ failures, the higher the mortality risk, with the greatest risk associated with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. MODS can be classified as primary or secondary.[3]
Primary MODS is the direct result of identifiable injury or insult with early organ dysfunction (eg, renal failure due to a nephrotoxic agent or liver failure due to a hepatotoxic agent).
Secondary MODS is organ failure that has no attributable cause and is a consequence of the host's response (eg, acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS] in individuals with pancreatitis).
The following parameters are used to assess individual organ dysfunction:
Septic shock is defined as sepsis with hypotension requiring vasopressor therapy to maintain a mean blood pressure of more than 65 mm Hg and a serum lactate level exceeding 2 mmol/L (18 mg/dL) after adequate fluid resuscitation.[1] This has a greater risk of mortality and long-term morbidity.
Pseudosepsis is defined as fever, leukocytosis, and hypotension due to causes other than sepsis. Examples might include the clinical picture seen with salicylate intoxication, methamphetamine overdose, or bilateral adrenal hemorrhage.
Sepsis can be caused by an obvious injury or infection or a more complicated etiology such as perforation, compromise, or rupture of an intra-abdominal or pelvic structure.[4] Other etiologies can include meningitis, head and neck infections, deep neck space infections, pyelonephritis, renal abscess (intrarenal or extrarenal), acute prostatitis/prostatic abscess, severe skin or skin structure infections (eg, necrotizing fasciitis), postsurgical infections, or systemic infections such as rickettsial infection. A more detailed discussion of sepsis etiology in various organ systems is provided in Etiology.
Individuals with sepsis may present with localizing symptoms related to a specific site or source of infection or may present with nonspecific symptoms. Individuals with nonspecific symptoms are usually acutely ill with fever and may present with or without shaking chills. Mental status may be impaired in the setting of fever or hypotension. Patients with bacteremia from any source often display an increased breathing rate resulting in respiratory alkalosis. The skin of patients with sepsis may be warm or cold, depending on the adequacy of organ and skin perfusion. A detailed history and physical examination is essential in determining the likely source of the septic process (See History and Physical Examination). This helps the clinician to determine the appropriate treatment and antimicrobial therapy (see Treatment for further detail).
See Clinical Presentation for more detail.
A diagnosis of sepsis is based on a detailed history, physical examination, laboratory and microbiology testing, and imaging studies.
Laboratory studies that may be considered include the following:
Imaging modalities should be focused on areas of clinical concern, based on the history and physical examination, and may include the following:
The following cardiac studies may be useful if cardiac involvement or disease is suspected as a cause or complication of infection:
Invasive diagnostic procedures that may be considered include the following:
See Workup for more detail.
Initial management may include the following:
Appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy depends on adequate coverage of the presumed pathogen(s) responsible for the septic process, potential antimicrobial resistance patterns, and patient-specific issues such as drug allergies or chronic medical conditions. Tying sites of infection to specific pathogens should occur, as follows:
Early surgical evaluation for presumed intra-abdominal or pelvic sepsis is essential. Procedures that may be warranted depend on the source of the infection, the severity of sepsis, and the patient’s clinical status, among other factors.
Once an etiologic pathogen is identified, typically via culture, narrowed antibiotic therapy against the identified pathogen is appropriate (eg, penicillin for penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae).
See Treatment and Medication for more detail.
Hippocrates, in the fourth century BCE, used the term sepsis denoting decomposition. Avicenna, in the eleventh century, called diseases causing purulence as blood rot. In the nineteenth century, the term sepsis was widely used to describe severe systemic toxicity. A closely derived term of septicemia was used for bacterial infection in the blood, which has been replaced by the term bacteremia. In the last two centuries, the processes underlying infections have been better studied and elucidated. The role of microorganisms in causing infections and the intricate mechanisms of various intrinsic and extrinsic toxins in damaging body tissues that result in fever and shock has been discovered with painstaking research. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the term endotoxin was devised by Pfeiffer to explain the causative agent in infection with cholera. It was later linked to other gram-negative bacterial pathogenicity.[9]
The initial sepsis guidelines were published in 2004 and revised in 2008 and 2012. The current clinical practice guidelines are a revision of the 2012 Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines for the management of severe sepsis and septic shock. (See Guidelines.)
The etiology of sepsis is diverse, and clinical clues to various organ systems aid in appropriate workup and diagnosis. It is also pertinent to be able to distinguish between the infectious and noninfectious causes of fever in a septic patient. The following are organ system–specific etiologies of possible sepsis:
There are numerous noninfectious causes of fever and organ dysfunction that can mimic sepsis:[11]
Table 1. Infectious and Noninfectious Causes of Fever[12]
View Table | See Table |
An abdominal wall abscess is depicted on the CT scan below.
View Image | A right lower quadrant abdominal wall abscess and enteric fistula are observed and confirmed by the presence of enteral contrast in the abdominal wall.... |
Organisms can be introduced via various mechanisms, including direct inoculation of microbes into the body or body site, such as in skin or soft tissue infections or bloodstream infections associated with indwelling venous catheters. Inhalational acquisition is a mode of infection in the setting of respiratory infection, as is aspiration of oral/gastric content. Ascending urinary tract infection can also cause systemic infection. The gastrointestinal tract can also be a source of infection if contents macroscopically rupture or seed the intra-abdominal compartment or if organisms translocate through the mucosal barrier. Other mucosal surfaces can also serve as entry points, including the conjunctiva, the upper respiratory tract, and the genitourinary tract. External disease-transmitting vectors, such as arthropods, can also cause infection.[4, 13]
The pathophysiology of sepsis is complex and results from the effects of circulating bacterial products, mediated by cytokine release, caused by sustained bacteremia. Cytokines are responsible for the clinically observable effects of bacteremia in the host.[13, 14, 15, 16] Impaired pulmonary, hepatic, or renal function may result from excessive cytokine release during the septic process.
Sepsis is a common cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The prognosis depends on underlying health status and host defenses, prompt and adequate surgical drainage of abscesses, relief of any obstruction of the intestinal or urinary tract, and appropriate and early empiric antimicrobial therapy.[17]
The prognosis of sepsis treated in a timely manner and with appropriate therapy is usually good, except in those with intra-abdominal or pelvic abscesses due to organ perforation. When timely and appropriate therapy has been delivered, the underlying physiologic condition of the patient determines outcome.
A systematic review by Winters et al suggested that beyond the standard 28-day in-hospital mortality endpoint, ongoing mortality in patients with sepsis remains elevated up to 2 years and beyond.[18] In addition, survivors consistently demonstrate impaired quality of life.[19]
Clinical characteristics that affect the severity of sepsis and, therefore, the outcome include the host's response to infection, the site and type of infection, and the timing and type of antimicrobial therapy.
Host-related
Abnormal host immune responses may increase susceptibility to severe disease and mortality. For example, extremes of temperature and the presence of leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia, advanced age, presence of co-morbid conditions, hyperglycemia, bleeding diatheses, and failure of procalcitonin levels to fall have all been associated with worsened outcome.[20]
Important risk factors for mortality include the patient's comorbidities, functional health status, newly onset atrial fibrillation, hypercoagulability state, hyperglycemia on admission, AIDS, liver disease, cancer, alcohol dependence, and immune suppression.
Age older than 40 years is associated with comorbid illnesses, impaired immunologic responses, malnutrition, increased exposure to potentially resistant pathogens in nursing homes, and increased use of medical devices, such as indwelling catheters and central venous lines.[21, 22, 23, 24]
Infection site
Sepsis due to urinary tract infection has the lowest mortality rate, while mortality rates are higher with unknown sources of infection, gastrointestinal sources (highest in ischemic bowel), and pulmonary sources.[25, 26, 27]
Infection type
Sepsis due to nosocomial pathogens has a higher mortality rate than sepsis due to community-acquired pathogens. Increased mortality is associated with bloodstream infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, fungi, and Pseudomonas, as well as polymicrobial infections. When bloodstream infections become severe (ie, septic shock), the outcome may be similar regardless of whether the pathogenic bacteria are gram-negative or gram-positive.
Antimicrobial therapy
Studies have shown that the early administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy (ie, antibiotics to which the pathogen is sensitive) is beneficial in septic patients demonstrating bacteremia. Previous antibiotic therapy (ie, antibiotics within the prior 90 days) may be associated with increased mortality risk, at least among patients with gram-negative sepsis. Patients who have received prior antibiotic therapy are more likely to have higher rates of antibiotic resistance, reducing the likelihood that appropriate antibiotic therapy will be chosen empirically.[28, 29, 30, 31]
Restoration of perfusion
Failure to attempt aggressive restoration of perfusion early may also be associated with an increased mortality risk. A severely elevated lactate level (>4 mmol/L) is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with sepsis.
Incidence
The incidence of sepsis and the number of sepsis-related deaths are increasing because of an increased use of immunosuppressive medications. The incidence varies by race and sex. The highest incidence is among black males. The incidence also shows seasonal variation, with the highest number of cases in winter, probably because of the increased prevalence of respiratory infections during this season. Older patients (≥65 years) account for most (60%-85%) sepsis cases, attributable to multiple comorbidities and frequent hospitalizations.[17]
Pathogens
The predominant infectious organisms that cause sepsis have changed over the years. Gram-positive bacteria are the most common etiologic pathogens, although the incidence of gram-negative sepsis remains substantial. The incidence of fungal sepsis has been rising with more patients on immunosuppressive therapies and more cases of HIV infection. In approximately half of sepsis cases, the organism is not identified (culture-negative sepsis).
Risk factors for sepsis and septic shock include the following:
The history and physical examination findings are nonspecific but may suggest the likely source of the septic process and thereby help determine the appropriate antimicrobial therapy and other interventions. General signs and symptoms of sepsis may include the following:
The clinical features depicted below may provide important diagnostic clues.
Respiratory infection
Cough, chest pain, and dyspnea may suggest pneumonia or empyema but may also be observed in patients with pulmonary embolism or pleural effusion.
Gastrointestinal (GI) or genitourinary (GU) infection
The patient may have a history of antecedent conditions predisposing to perforation or abscess. In many cases, the history is critical for diagnosis. Abdominal findings on physical examination may be absent or unimpressive.
Intravenous line infection
Evidence of infection at a central IV line site suggests the probable etiology.[34] However, it is important to note that many patients with central IV line infections do not have superficial evidence of infection at the insertion site. Always suspect IV line infections, especially when other sources of sepsis are eliminated.[35, 36] Central IV lines are the lines most commonly associated with bacteremia or sepsis.
Peripheral venous lines and arterial lines are rarely associated with bacteremia. Thrombophlebitis may be noted at the peripheral IV line site.
Surgical wound infection
Pain, purulent exudate, or crepitus in a surgical wound may suggest wound infection, cellulitis, or abscess.
These signs include the following:
Elderly patients may present with peritonitis and may not experience rebound tenderness of the abdomen.[37]
Elderly individuals, persons with diabetes, and patients on beta-blockers may not exhibit an appropriate tachycardia as blood pressure falls.
Younger patients develop a severe and prolonged tachycardia without hypotension until acute decompensation occurs.
Patients with chronic hypertension may develop critical hypoperfusion at a blood pressure that is higher than in healthy patients (ie, relative hypotension).
An acute surgical abdomen in a pregnant patient may be difficult to diagnose.[38] The most common cause of sepsis in pregnancy is urosepsis.[38]
Multiple clinical, laboratory, radiologic, and microbiologic data are required for the diagnosis of sepsis and septic shock. Sepsis should never be diagnosed based on a single abnormality. However, the diagnosis is often made empirically at the bedside upon presentation or retrospectively when follow-up data return (eg, positive blood culture result) or a response to antibiotics is evident. Importantly, the identification of a pathogenic organism, although preferred, is not always feasible since the responsible organism may be unidentified in many patients.
In general, the workup for sepsis may include the following:
A complete blood cell (CBC) count is usually not specific. Leukocytosis with a left shift is also a nonspecific diagnostic finding and can be seen in noninfectious conditions. Leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia may be observed in sepsis.
A complete metabolic profile identifies changes in organ function, especially the liver and kidneys.
Obtain blood cultures in all patients upon admission. Negative blood culture results are also necessary to include pseudosepsis in the differential diagnosis.[42] Blood culture isolates might suggest the underlying disease process. Bacteroides fragilis suggests a colonic or pelvic source, whereas Klebsiella species or enterococci suggest a gallbladder or urinary tract source.
If central intravenous (IV) line sepsis is suspected, remove the line and send the tip for semiquantitative bacterial culture. If culture of the catheter tip yields positive results and demonstrates 15 or more colonies and if the isolate from the tip matches the isolate from the blood culture, an infection associated with the central IV line is diagnosed.
ICU patients are at a greater risk of colonization by MRSA, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). It is critical to deescalate or change the empiric antibiotic regimen once the organism susceptibilities are available.
Buffy coat analysis of CBC may be useful in identifying certain infectious agents, although the yield is low.[43]
If urosepsis is suspected, obtain a urine Gram stain, urinalysis, and urine culture. A systematic review found that in adult ICU patients, catheter-associated urinary tract infection was associated with significantly higher mortality and a longer stay.[44]
Organism identification via culture in a patient who fulfills the definition of sepsis is highly supportive of a sepsis diagnosis but is unnecessary. The rationale behind its lack of inclusion in the diagnostic criteria for sepsis is that a culprit organism goes unidentified in up to half of patients who present with sepsis, and a positive culture result is not required to make a decision regarding treatment with empiric antibiotics.
Laboratory and clinical features that may suggest an underlying etiology of sepsis are as follows:
Procalcitonin (PCT) is an acute-phase reactant that is elevated in severe bacterial infections. In most clinical assays, the reference range of PCT is below detectable. Measurement of PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) at onset and on the fourth day of treatment can predict survival of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia. A decrease in either one of these marker values predicts survival.[7]
A study from van Nieuwkoop et al examined the use of PCT levels in predicting bacteremia in a group of 581 patients, 136 of whom had bacteremia; PCT levels successfully identified 94-99% of the patients with bacteremia.[5]
Heyland et al, in a systematic review of the economic value of PCT-guided reduction in antibiotic use in intensive care, found that with hospital mortality and length of stay unchanged, PCT testing to reduce antibiotic treatment broke even when daily antibiotics cost about $150 in Canadian dollars.[6]
No radiologic signs are specific to the identification of sepsis, but chest radiography can aid in identifying a specific infection site. Chest radiography is important to rule out pneumonia and diagnose other causes of pulmonary infiltrates, such as the following:
Chest CT scanning is a very sensitive modality for diagnosing the lung pathology listed above.
Perform abdominal ultrasonography if biliary tract obstruction is suspected based on the clinical presentation. However, abdominal ultrasonography is suboptimal for the detection of abscesses or perforated hollow organs. Ultrasonograms in patients with cholecystitis may show a thickened gallbladder wall or biliary calculi but no dilatation of the common bile duct (CBD). Stones in the biliary tract may or may not be visible in patients with cholangitis, but the CBD is typically dilated.[45]
Use computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen if a nonbiliary intra-abdominal source of infection is suspected on the basis of the history or physical examination findings. Abdominal CT or MRI is also helpful in delineating intrarenal and extrarenal pathology. Gallium or indium scanning has no place in the initial workup of sepsis; patients with sepsis are acutely ill by definition, and rapid diagnostic tests (eg, CT or MRI of the abdomen and ultrasonography of the right upper quadrant) are time-critical, life-saving tools. However, MRI is more time consuming than CT scanning, and the latter is preferred in emergent situations.[45]
If acute MI is likely, perform electrocardiography (ECG) and obtain cardiac enzyme levels. Remember that certain patients may present with a silent, asymptomatic MI, which should be included in the differential diagnosis of otherwise unexplained fever, leukocytosis, and hypotension. Silent MIs are common in elderly patients and in those who have recent undergone abdominal or pelvic surgical procedures. They are also common in individuals with alcoholism, diabetes, and uremic conditions.
The following cardiac studies may be useful if cardiac involvement or disease is suspected as a cause or complication of infection:
Invasive diagnostic procedures that may be considered are discussed below.
Perform thoracentesis for diagnostic purposes in patients with substantial pleural effusion. Perform paracentesis in patients with gross ascites.
Drainage of fluid collections/abscesses is crucial in establishing good source control and in facilitating a good clinical response to subsequent antibiotic therapy.
Bronchoscopy with washing, lavage, or other invasive sampling is performed in patients with suspected pneumonia and in patients with suspected invasive fungal infections of the lung.
In highly selected cases, a Swan-Ganz catheter may be useful in managing the fluid status of the patient and in assessing left ventricular dysfunction. However, routine use is not recommended.
Site-specific soft tissue imaging includes ultrasonography, CT scanning, or MRI to assess for possible abscess, fluid collection, or necrotizing skin infection. These are essential for diagnostic purposes and for monitoring the response to therapy.
Contrast-enhanced CT scanning or MRI of the brain/neck is performed to assess for possible masses, abscess, fluid collection, or necrotizing infection.
Early aggressive medical therapy is indicated in patients with suspected sepsis.[46, 29, 47, 28, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53]
Patients with sepsis are generally ill and require inpatient hospitalization or admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for monitoring and treatment. Admission to an ICU depends on the severity of the septic process and the degree of organ dysfunction.
Determine the likely source of the infection, and administer intravenous (IV) empiric antimicrobial agents until culture results become available, at which point more narrow-spectrum agents can be used (see below). In addition, offer supportive therapy aimed at maintaining organ perfusion, and provide respiratory support when necessary.[48, 54, 55]
A recent prospective study of 5787 adult patients with severe sepsis revealed the importance of goal-directed treatment. Patients triaged and managed according to 4 clinical goals (blood cultures before antibiotics, lactate before 90 minutes, IV antibiotics before 180 minutes, and 30 mL/kg of IV fluids before 180 minutes) were significantly less likely to die in the hospital than were those for whom all 4 of these goals were not met (22.6% vs 26.5%, respectively).[56]
In a multivariate regression analysis adjusted for age, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), vasopressor initiation, central venous catheter insertion, and monitoring of central venous pressure and central venous oxygen saturation, complete compliance with the clinical goals was associated with a survival odds ratio of 1.194 (1.04-1.37).[56]
Early evaluation in patients with presumed intra-abdominal or pelvic sepsis is essential, and surgical consultation should be obtained in appropriate patients.
Obtain a consultation with a surgeon for patients with presumed intra-abdominal or pelvic sepsis. Obtain a consultation with an infectious disease specialist, as indicated, in patients with presumed or proven sepsis.[28]
Appropriate antimicrobial therapy depends on adequate coverage of the bacteria associated with the specific organ or organ system associated with the infection.[46, 29, 47, 28, 30] Agents suitable for empiric monotherapy regimens (depending on the source and underlying microbiology of the sepsis because the agent must be able to cover all of the likely pathogens) may include the following:
Combination therapeutic regimens include metronidazole plus either levofloxacin, aztreonam, a third- or fourth-generation cephalosporin, or an aminoglycoside.
Many advocate also using antistaphylococcal coverage (eg, vancomycin) empirically.
Although no drug regimen may be superior to another, time to first dose administration is very important. Mortality data suggest that early administration of appropriate antibiotics is correlated with better survival. Alternative agents may be used alone or in combination, with a good adverse-effect profile.[46, 29, 47, 28]
Antibiotics are normally continued until the septic process and surgical interventions have controlled the source of infection. Ordinarily, patients are treated for approximately 2 weeks, although duration may vary according to the source, site, and severity of the infection. As soon as patients are able to tolerate medications orally, they may be switched to an equivalent oral antibiotic regimen in an IV-to-oral conversion program.
A detailed discussion of catheter-associated infections is available in the IDSA catheter-associated line-related infections (CRBSI) guidelines.[57] IV line infections are most often due to Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-sensitive S aureus [MSSA] or methicillin-resistant S aureus [MRSA]) ,but gram-negative bacilli can be involved. The preferred empiric therapy for these infections is meropenem or cefepime (for Pseudomonas) plus additional coverage for staphylococci.[35, 36] If MRSA is prevalent in the institution, add linezolid, vancomycin, or daptomycin. Otherwise, nafcillin, oxacillin, or cefazolin provides adequate coverage for MSSA.
Unless coagulase-negative, methicillin-sensitive staphylococci are recovered from the blood, with high-level bacteremia (3 or 4 positive blood cultures out of 4), avoid vancomycin for empiric therapy if possible; these are low-virulence organisms and may represent contaminants. If treatment is advised, the duration of therapy depends on the severity and site of infection.[57]
Treatment of staphylococcal central line infection and fungal or gram-negative organisms typically requires removal of the line.
Minimize the use of vancomycin in order to prevent the emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).[35]
IDSA guidelines for complicated intra-abdominal infections such as biliary tract infections are available.[58] The main biliary tract pathogens include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and Enterococcus faecalis. Coverage for staphylococci is not needed in the biliary tract. Anaerobes can also be important, especially in patients with diabetes or immunosuppression.
Preferred monotherapy regimens for biliary tract infections include imipenem, meropenem, ampicillin-sulbactam, or piperacillin-tazobactam. Cephalosporins or quinolones in combination with metronidazole are alternate first-line agents for the treatment of biliary tract infections.
The main pathogens in the lower abdomen and pelvis include aerobic coliform gram-negative bacilli and B fragilis. Enterococci do not require special coverage unless the patient has recurrent infection or enterococci have been specifically and repeatedly isolated. Potent anti–B fragilis and aerobic gram-negative bacillary coverage are essential, in addition to surgical intervention when drainage or repair of intra-abdominal viscera is required.
Preferred monotherapy regimens for intra-abdominal and pelvic infections include imipenem, meropenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, ampicillin-sulbactam, or tigecycline. Alternate combination therapy for intra-abdominal and pelvic infections consists of clindamycin or metronidazole plus a third- or fourth-generation cephalosporin, aztreonam, levofloxacin, or an aminoglycoside. Some authors raise concerns about the use of tigecycline.
The primary uropathogens include gram-negative aerobic bacilli, such as coliforms or enterococci. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter species, and Serratia species are rare uropathogens and are associated with urologic instrumentation.
Monotherapy for urosepsis due to aerobic gram-negative bacilli may include aztreonam, levofloxacin, a third- or fourth-generation cephalosporin, or an aminoglycoside. However, preferred monotherapy for enterococcal urosepsis involves ampicillin or vancomycin. For VRE urosepsis, linezolid or daptomycin may be used.
Empiric therapy for community-acquired urosepsis consists of levofloxacin, aztreonam, or an aminoglycoside plus ampicillin. For nosocomial urosepsis, a fourth-generation cephalosporin, piperacillin-tazobactam, imipenem, or meropenem, with or without an aminoglycoside, is preferred.
S aureus sepsis is usually associated with infection caused by devices or bacterial endocarditis. Empiric therapy may be with an anti-staphylococcal penicillin (nafcillin or oxacillin), vancomycin, a cephalosporin, daptomycin, or linezolid, depending on the concern for MRSA.
Pneumococcal or meningococcal sepsis may be treated with penicillin G or a beta-lactam. In patients with associated meningococcal meningitis, the antibiotic selected should penetrate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and should be given in meningeal doses. Consider the regional prevalence of drug-resistant pneumococci when selecting an antibiotic.
The usual sources of sepsis are the distal gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the pelvis, and the genitourinary (GU) tract. Organisms that should be covered from these areas include aerobic gram-negative bacilli (coliforms) and B fragilis. Enterococci are important pathogens in biliary tract sepsis and urosepsis.
Preferred empiric monotherapy includes meropenem, imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, or tigecycline.
Empiric combination therapy includes metronidazole plus levofloxacin, aztreonam, or a third- or fourth-generation cephalosporin.
If orally administered antibiotics are continued at home, advise the patient about possible adverse effects. If additional antimicrobial therapy is needed outside the hospital setting, it should be given orally, not intravenously. Do not allow the total course of antibiotics to exceed 3 weeks, except for specific clinical scenarios, which may require prolonged courses of oral antibiotics for cure or complete clinical resolution.
The initial sepsis guidelines were published in 2004 and then revised in 2008 and 2012. The current clinical practice guidelines are a revision of the 2012 Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines for the management of severe sepsis and septic shock.
Emphasis was directed to (1) first-hour fluid resuscitation and inotrope therapy directed to goals of threshold heart rates, normal blood pressure, and capillary refill of 2 seconds or less with specific evaluation after each bolus for signs of fluid overload, as well as first-hour antibiotic administration and (2) subsequent ICU hemodynamic support directed to goals of ScVO2 greater than 70% and cardiac index (CI) 3.3-6 L/min/m2 with appropriate antibiotic coverage and source control.[59]
Another major new recommendation in the 2012 update was that hemodynamic support of septic shock should be addressed at the institutional level rather than only at the practitioner level, with well-planned coordination between the family, community, prehospital, emergency department, hospital, and ICU settings. The 2012 guidelines recommend that each institution implement their own adopted or home-grown bundles that include the following:
The 2016 guidelines[60, 61] give a detailed overview of initial resuscitation, screening, and diagnosis of sepsis. The management decisions concerning antibiotic therapy, fluid administration, source control, administration of pressors and steroids, blood products, anticoagulants, immunoglobulins, mechanical ventilation, sedation, analgesia, glucose control, blood purification, renal replacement therapy, bicarbonate, venous thromboembolism and stress ulcer prophylaxis, nutrition, and setting goals of care are addressed. The main differences between the 2012 and 2016 guidelines are discussed in detail in the cited reference.[62]
Unfortunately, a consensus could not be reached between some of the sponsoring organizations. A position paper issued by the IDSA does not endorse the Society of Critical Care Medicine/European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (SCCM/ESICM) 2016 Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines for the management of sepsis and septic shock, despite the IDSA's participation in the development of the guidelines. In particular, while the IDSA agrees that the SCCM/ESICM recommendations are life-saving for patients with septic shock, they may lead to overtreatment in those with milder variants of sepsis and sepsis syndromes. The IDSA does not endorse routine initiation of antibiotic therapy within one hour of suspecting sepsis nor administration of combination antibiotic therapy and a 7- to 10-day course of antibiotic therapy for all patients, regardless of presentation factors. The IDSA also notes unclear recommendations for removal of catheters when considered as the source of sepsis and for the role of procalcitonin when monitoring therapeutic response.[63]
As more research related to timing of therapy is completed, further guideline refinement is expected, and perhaps a consensus regarding the treatment approach can be achieved.
The goals of pharmacotherapy are to eradicate the infection, reduce morbidity, and prevent complications.
Clinical Context: Imipenem-cilastatin is a carbapenem with activity against most gram-positive organisms (except MRSA), gram-negative organisms, and anaerobes. It is used for treatment of multiple-organism infections in which other agents do not have wide-spectrum coverage or are contraindicated owing to their potential for toxicity.
Clinical Context: Meropenem is a carbapenem with slightly increased activity against gram-negative organisms and slightly decreased activity against staphylococci and streptococci compared with imipenem. It is less likely to cause seizures and has superior penetration of the blood-brain barrier compared with imipenem.
Clinical Context: Piperacillin-tazobactam inhibits the biosynthesis of cell wall mucopeptide and is effective during the stage of active multiplication. It has antipseudomonal activity.
Clinical Context: Ampicillin and sulbactam is a drug combination of a beta-lactamase inhibitor with ampicillin. It interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis during active replication, causing bactericidal activity against susceptible organisms. It is an alternative to amoxicillin if the patient is unable to take medications orally. It covers skin, enteric flora, and anaerobes and is not ideal for nosocomial pathogens.
Clinical Context: Clindamycin is primarily used for its activity against anaerobes. It has some activity against Streptococcus species and methicillin-sensitive S aureus (MSSA).
Clinical Context: Metronidazole is an imidazole ring-based antibiotic active against various anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. It is usually combined with other antimicrobial agents, except when used for Clostridium difficile enterocolitis, in which monotherapy is appropriate.
Clinical Context: Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin. It has gram-negative coverage comparable to ceftazidime but has better gram-positive coverage (comparable to ceftriaxone). Cefepime is active against Pseudomonas species. It has increased effectiveness against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)–producing organisms. Its poor capacity to cross blood-brain barrier precludes its use for treatment of meningitis.
Clinical Context: Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone with excellent gram-positive and gram-negative coverage. It is an excellent agent for pneumonia and has excellent abdominal coverage as well. High urine concentration necessitates reduced dosing in urinary tract infection.
Clinical Context: Vancomycin provides gram-positive coverage and good hospital-acquired MRSA coverage. It is now used more frequently because of the high incidence of MRSA. Vancomycin should be given to all septic patients with indwelling catheters or devices. It is advisable for skin and soft-tissue infections.
Clinical Context: The broad spectrum and action of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) against organisms found in patients with cystic fibrosis and the convenience of oral administration make this combination useful for treatment of milder infections in an outpatient setting.
Clinical Context: Aztreonam is a monobactam, not a beta-lactam, antibiotic that inhibits cell wall synthesis during bacterial growth. It is active against gram-negative bacilli but has very limited gram-positive activity and is not useful for anaerobes. Aztreonam lacks cross-sensitivity with beta-lactam antibiotics. It may be used in patients who are allergic to penicillins or cephalosporins.
The duration of therapy depends on the severity of infection and is continued for at least 48 hours after the patient becomes asymptomatic or evidence of bacterial eradication has been obtained. Doses that are smaller than indicated should not be used.
Transient or persistent renal insufficiency may prolong serum levels. After the initial loading dose of 1 or 2 g, reduce the dose by one half for an estimated CrCl of 10-30 mL/min/1.73 m2. When only the serum creatinine concentration is available, the following formula (based on sex, weight, and age) can approximate CrCl (serum creatinine should represent a steady state of renal function):
• Males: CrCl = [(weight in kg)(140 - age)] divided by (72 X serum creatinine in mg/dL)
• Females: 0.85 X above value
In patients with severe renal failure (CrCl < 10 mL/min/1.73 m2), those supported by hemodialysis, a usual dose of 500 mg, 1 g, or 2 g is given initially.
The maintenance dose is one fourth of the usual initial dose given at the usual fixed interval of 6, 8, or 12 hours. For serious or life-threatening infections, supplement maintenance doses with one eighth of the initial dose after each hemodialysis session.
Elderly persons may have diminished renal function. Renal status is a major determinant of dosage in these patients. Serum creatinine may not be an accurate determinant of renal status. Therefore, as with all antibiotics eliminated by the kidneys, obtain estimates of CrCl and make appropriate dosage modifications. Insufficient data are available regarding intramuscular (IM) administration to pediatric patients or dosing in pediatric patients with renal impairment. Aztreonam is administered intravenously only to pediatric patients with normal renal function.
Clinical Context: Linezolid is used as an alternative drug in patients allergic to vancomycin and for treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. It is also effective against MRSA and penicillin-susceptible S pneumoniae infections.
This agent is an oxazolidinone antibiotic that prevents formation of the functional 70S initiation complex, which is essential for the bacterial translation process. Linezolid is bacteriostatic against enterococci and staphylococci and bactericidal against most strains of streptococci.
Clinical Context: Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin with broad-spectrum, gram-negative activity. It has lower efficacy against gram-positive organisms and higher efficacy against resistant organisms. Ceftriaxone is used for increasing prevalence of penicillinase-producing microorganisms. It inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to 1 or more penicillin-binding proteins. Cell wall autolytic enzymes lyse bacteria, while cell wall assembly is arrested.
Clinical Context: Daptomycin causes membrane depolarization by binding to components of the cell membrane of susceptible organisms. It inhibits DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis intracellularly. It is a bactericidal antibiotic.
Clinical Context: Nafcillin is a broad-spectrum penicillin. It is used for methicillin-sensitive S aureus and is the initial therapy for suspected penicillin G–resistant streptococcal or staphylococcal infections. In severe infections, start with parenteral therapy and change to oral therapy as the condition warrants. Because of thrombophlebitis, particularly in elderly persons, administer parenterally for only 1-2 days; change to oral therapy as indicated clinically.
Clinical Context: Rifampin is for use in combination with at least 1 other antituberculosis drug. It inhibits RNA synthesis in bacteria by binding to the beta subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which, in turn, blocks RNA transcription. Cross-resistance may occur.
Clinical Context: This is the first of a new antibiotic class called cyclic lipopeptides. It binds to bacterial membranes and causes rapid membrane potential depolarization, thereby inhibiting protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis, and ultimately causing cell death. It is indicated for complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by S aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains), S pyogenes, S agalactiae, S dysgalactiae, and E faecalis (vancomycin-susceptible strains only).
Clinical Context: Tigecycline is a glycylcycline antibiotic that is structurally similar to tetracycline antibiotics. It inhibits bacterial protein translation by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, and it blocks the entry of amino-acyl tRNA molecules in ribosome A site. It is indicated for complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by E coli, E faecalis (vancomycin-susceptible isolates only), S aureus (methicillin-susceptible and -resistant isolates), S agalactiae, S anginosus group (includes S anginosus, S intermedius, and S constellatus), S pyogenes and B fragilis.
Empiric antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive and should cover all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting.
System
Infectious Causes
Noninfectious Causes
Central nervous Meningitis, encephalitis Posterior fossa syndrome, central fever, seizures, cerebral infraction, hemorrhage, cerebrovascular accident Cardiovascular Central line, infected pacemaker, endocarditis, sternal osteomyelitis, viral pericarditis, myocardial/perivalvular abscess Myocardial infarction, balloon pump syndrome, Dressler syndrome Pulmonary Ventilator-associated pneumonia, mediastinitis, tracheobronchitis, empyema Pulmonary emboli, ARDS, atelectasis (without pneumonia), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, bronchogenic carcinoma without postobstructive pneumonia, systemic lupus erythematosus, pneumonitis, vasculitis Gastrointestinal Intra-abdominal abscess, cholangitis, cholecystitis, viral hepatitis, peritonitis, diarrhea (Clostridium difficile) Pancreatitis, acalculous cholecystitis, ischemia of the bowel/colon, bleeding, cirrhosis, irritable bowel syndrome Urinary tract Catheter-associated bacteremia, urosepsis, pyelonephritis, cystitis Allergic interstitial nephritis Skin/soft tissue Decubitus ulcers, cellulitis, wound infection Vascular ulcers Bone/joint Chronic osteomyelitis, septic arthritis Acute gout Other Transient bacteremia, sinusitis Adrenal insufficiency, phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, neoplastic fever, alcohol/drug withdrawal, delirium tremens, drug fever, fat emboli, deep venous thrombosis, postoperative fever (48 h), fever after transfusion
System Associated With Sepsis Not Typically Associated With Sepsis GI tract Liver
Gallbladder
Colon
Abscess
Intestinal obstruction
InstrumentationEsophagitis
Gastritis
Pancreatitis (may have multiorgan dysfunction but not infectious in origin)
Small bowel disorders
GI bleedingGU tract Pyelonephritis
Intra- or perinephric abscess
Renal calculi
Urinary tract obstruction
Acute prostatitis/abscess
Renal insufficiency
Instrumentation in patients with bacteriuriaUrethritis
Cystitis
Cervicitis
Vaginitis
Catheter-associated bacteriuria (in otherwise healthy hosts without genitourinary tract disease)Pelvis Peritonitis
Abscess
Upper respiratory tract Deep neck space infection
AbscessPharyngitis
Sinusitis
Bronchitis
OtitisLower respiratory tract Community-acquired pneumonia (with asplenia)
Empyema
Lung abscessCommunity-acquired pneumonia (in otherwise healthy host)
Intravascular IV line sepsis
Infected prosthetic device
Acute bacterial endocarditisCardiovascular Acute bacterial endocarditis
Myocardial/perivalvular ring abscessSubacute bacterial endocarditis
CNS Bacterial meningitis Aseptic meningitis Skin/soft-tissue
Necrotizing fasciitis
Osteomyelitis
Uncomplicated wound infectionsCNS = central nervous system; GI = gastrointestinal; GU = genitourinary; IV = intravenous. Adapted from: Cunha BA, Shea KW. Fever in the intensive care unit. Infect Dis Clin North Am. Mar 1996;10(1):185-209.[39]
Clinical Presentations Mimicking Sepsis Hemodynamic Parameters Mimicking Sepsis Myocardial infarction Spinal cord injury Pancreatitis Adrenal insufficiency Diabetic ketoacidosis Acute pancreatitis Systemic lupus erythematosus flare with abdominal crisis Hemorrhage Ventricular pseudoaneurysm Pulmonary embolism Massive aspiration/atelectasis Anaphylaxis Systemic vasculitis Hypovolemia (eg, due to diuretics, dehydration)
Parameters Pseudosepsis Sepsis Microbiologic No definite source PLUS ≥1 abnormalities
Negative blood cultures excluding contaminantsProper identification/process/source PLUS ≥1 microbiologic abnormalities
Positive buffy coat smear result OR several positive blood culture results with a pathogenic organismHemodynamic ⇓ PVR
⇑ CO⇓ PVR
⇑ CO
Left ventricular dilatationLaboratory ⇑ WBC count (with left shift)
Normal platelet count
⇑ FSP
⇑ Lactate
⇑ D-dimers
⇑ PT/PTT
⇓ Albumin
⇓ Fibrinogen
⇓ Globulins⇑ WBC count (with left shift)
⇓ Platelets
⇑ FSP
⇑ Lactate
⇑ D-dimers
⇑ PT/PTT
⇓ AlbuminClinical ≤102°F ±
Tachycardia ±
Respiratory alkalosis ±
Hypotension≥102°F OR
Hypothermia ±
Mental status changes ±
HypotensionCO = cardiac output; FSP = fibrin split products; GI = gastrointestinal; GU = genitourinary; PT/PTT = prothrombin time/partial thromboplastin time; PVR = peripheral vascular resistance; WBC = white blood cell.