Initial antimicrobial management of sepsis.

Authors

Michael S Niederman
Rebecca M Baron
Lila Bouadma
Thierry Calandra
Nick Daneman
Jan DeWaele
Marin H Kollef
Jeffrey Lipman
Girish Balachandran Nair, Beaumont Health

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-26-2021

Publication Title

Critical care (London, England)

Abstract

Sepsis is a common consequence of infection, associated with a mortality rate > 25%. Although community-acquired sepsis is more common, hospital-acquired infection is more lethal. The most common site of infection is the lung, followed by abdominal infection, catheter-associated blood steam infection and urinary tract infection. Gram-negative sepsis is more common than gram-positive infection, but sepsis can also be due to fungal and viral pathogens. To reduce mortality, it is necessary to give immediate, empiric, broad-spectrum therapy to those with severe sepsis and/or shock, but this approach can drive antimicrobial overuse and resistance and should be accompanied by a commitment to de-escalation and antimicrobial stewardship. Biomarkers such a procalcitonin can provide decision support for antibiotic use, and may identify patients with a low likelihood of infection, and in some settings, can guide duration of antibiotic therapy. Sepsis can involve drug-resistant pathogens, and this often necessitates consideration of newer antimicrobial agents.

Volume

25

Issue

1

First Page

307

Recommended Citation

Niederman MS, Baron RM, Bouadma L, Calandra T, Daneman N, DeWaele J, Kollef MH, Lipman J, Nair GB. Initial antimicrobial management of sepsis. Crit Care. 2021 Aug 26;25(1):307. doi: 10.1186/s13054-021-03736-w. PMID: 34446092; PMCID: PMC8390082.

DOI

10.1186/s13054-021-03736-w

ISSN

1466-609X

PubMed ID

34446092