Sepsis causes
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.D. [2]
Overview
The process of infection by bacteria or fungi can result in systemic signs and symptoms that are variously described. In rough order of severity, these are bacteremia or fungemia; septicemia; sepsis, severe sepsis or sepsis syndrome; septic shock; refractory septic shock; multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and death. The condition develops as a response to certain microbial molecules which trigger the production and release of cellular mediators, such as tumor necrosis factors (TNF); these act to stimulate immune response. Besides TNFα, other cytokines involved in the development of septic shock include interleukin-1β, and interferon γ.
Causes
Sepsis is caused by a bacterial infection that can begin anywhere in the body. Common places where an infection might start include:
- The bowel (usually seen with peritonitis)
- The kidneys (upper urinary tract infection or pyelonephritis)
- The lining of the brain (meningitis)
- The liver or the gall bladder (cholecystitis)
- The lungs (bacterial pneumonia)
- The skin (cellulitis)
- In children, sepsis may accompany infection of the bone (osteomyelitis).
- In hospitalized patients, common sites of infection include intravenous lines, surgical wounds, surgical drains, and sites of skin breakdown known as bedsores (decubitus ulcers)
Causes in Alphabetical Order
- Anthrax
- Gangrene
- Gram negative bacteremia
- Necrotizing enterocolitis
- Lemierre syndrome
- Melioidosis
- Neisseria meningiditis
- Peritonitis
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Vibrio vulnificus