PreSEPSIN: The Sepsis Biomarker. A short monograph.
Sepsis is a complex whole-body inflammatory state caused by severe infection by bacteria, fungi or other microorganisms. Severe sepsis is accompanied by single or multiple organ dysfunction or failure, often leading to death. Cytokines and other substances of the innate immune system are released into the blood to combat the infection. This results in a systemic inflammatory state with formation of thrombi, bleeding and leaky vessels. It proceeds finally in impaired blood flow which damages the organs by depriving them of nutrients and interferes with oxygen supply.