Sepsis causes

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.^[1]

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition, if left untreated it results in death.

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).

Common organisms responsible for sepsis includes:^[2][3]

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