For some years bloodstream infections caused by microorganisms have been highly topical, especially in the context of hospital-associated infections. Such infections can be particularly problematic when they progress to sepsis, as Richard Broadhead explains.
The term ‘sepsis’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Sipsi’, meaning ‘to make rotten’, and is usually understood to be a total body inflammatory response to the presence of bacteria or fungi in the bloodstream. Sepsis is a major health issue in the UK, with an estimated 200,000 cases per annum. Tragically, this results in 37,000 deaths per year (18% of cases) and an estimated £2.5 billion annual cost to the NHS in the UK.
Sepsis can result from the spread of environmentally acquired, localised infections in tissues such as the lung, urinary tract, abdomen and pelvis. However, it is also of huge significance in the healthcare setting where it represents a substantial source of nosocomial disease. These hospital-associated infections can be acquired as a result of common essential medical procedures including surgical intervention and the use of indwelling instruments such as catheters and intravenous drips. Most bloodstream infections are caused by bacteria (bacteraemia), although fungal infections (fungaemia) can also be an issue especially in situations where they have the opportunity to attack immunocompromised patients
Blood culture
As sepsis can be caused by a wide range of microorganisms, appropriate treatment relies on the ability to identify the specific bacterium or fungus that is causing the disease. In practice, this will involve the use of a blood culture, in which a blood sample is taken from a patient and then incubated using conditions amenable to microbial growth.
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