BackgroundEarly recognition is a key factor to achieve improved outcomes for septic patients. Combinations of biomarkers, as opposed to single ones, may improve timely diagnosis and survival. We investigated the performance characteristics of sepsis biomarkers, alone and in combination, for diagnosis of verified bacterial sepsis using Sepsis-2 and Sepsis-3 criteria, respectively.MethodsProcalcitonin (PCT), neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lactate were determined in a total of 1,572 episodes of adult patients admitted to the emergency department on suspicion of sepsis. All sampling were performed prior to antibiotic administration. Discriminant analysis was used to construct two composite biomarkers consisting of linear combinations of the investigated biomarkers, one including three selected biomarkers (i.e., NLCR, CRP, and lactate), and another including all four (i.e., PCT, NLCR, CRP, and lactate). The diagnostic performances of the composite biomarkers as well as the individual biomarkers were compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).ResultsFor diagnosis of bacterial sepsis based on Sepsis-3 criteria, the AUC for PCT (0.68; 95% CI 0.65–0.71) was comparable to the AUCs for the both composite biomarkers. Using the Sepsis-2 criteria for bacterial sepsis diagnosis, the AUC for the NLCR (0.68; 95% CI 0.65–0.71) but not for the other single biomarkers, was equal to the AUCs for the both composite biomarkers. For diagnosis of severe bacterial sepsis or septic shock based on the Sepsis-2 criteria, the AUCs for both composite biomarkers were significantly greater than those of the single biomarkers (0.85; 95% CI 0.82–0.88 for the composite three-biomarker, and 0.86; 95% CI 0.83–0.89 for the composite four-biomarker).ConclusionsCombinations of biomarkers can improve the diagnosis of verified bacterial sepsis in the most critically ill patients, but in less severe septic conditions either the NLCR or PCT alone exhibit equivalent performance.

We found FMT to be effective in patients with recurrent CDI. RBT based on a predefined bacterial suspension was as effective as or better than FMT based on faecal donation; however, multiple installations may be needed.

The study aim was to investigate the prevalence and clinical relevance of viral findings by multiplex PCR from the nasopharynx of clinically septic patients during a winter season. During 11 weeks of the influenza epidemic period in January–March 2012, consecutive adult patients suspected to be septic (n = 432) were analyzed with cultures from blood and nasopharynx plus multiplex PCR for respiratory viruses on the nasopharyngeal specimen. The results were compared with those from microbiology analyses ordered as part of standard care. During the winter season, viral respiratory pathogens, mainly influenza A virus, human metapneumovirus, coronavirus, and respiratory syncytial virus were clinically underdiagnosed in 70% of patients positive by the multiplex PCR assay. During the first four weeks of the influenza epidemic, few tests for influenza were ordered by clinicians, indicating low awareness that the epidemic had started. Nasopharyngeal findings of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae by culture correlated to pneumonia diagnosis, and in those patients laboratory signs of viral co-infections were common but rarely suspected by clinicians. The role of respiratory viral infections in patients presenting with a clinical picture of sepsis is underestimated. Specific antiviral treatment might be beneficial in some cases and may reduce spread in a hospital setting. Diagnosing viral infections may promote reduction of unnecessary antibiotic use. It can also be a tool for decisions concerning patient logistics, in order to minimize exposure of susceptible patients and personnel.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10096-017-2990-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundSepsis is a major healthcare challenge globally. However, epidemiologic data based on population studies are scarce.MethodsDuring a 9-month prospective, population-based study, the Swedish Sepsis-2 criteria were used to investigate the incidence of community onset severe sepsis in adults aged ≥18 years (N = 2,196; mean age, 69; range, 18–102 years). All the patients who were admitted to the hospital and started on intravenous antibiotic treatment within 48 hours were evaluated. Retrospectively the incidence of sepsis according to Sepsis-3 criteria was calculated on this cohort.ResultsThe annual incidence of community onset severe sepsis in adults at first admission was 276/100,000 (95% CI, 254–300). The incidence increased more than 40-fold between the youngest and the oldest age group, and was higher for men than for women. The respiratory tract was the most common site of infection (41% of cases). Using the Sepsis-3 criteria, the annual incidence of sepsis was 838/100,000 (95% CI, 798–877), which is 3-fold higher than that of severe sepsis. The main reason for the discrepancy in incidences is the more generous criteria for respiratory dysfunction used in Sepsis-3. Bacteremia was seen in 13% of all the admitted patients, giving an incidence of 203/100,000/year (95%, CI 184–223), which is among the highest incidences reported.ConclusionsWe found a high incidence of community onset severe sepsis, albeit lower than that seen in previous Scandinavian studies. The incidence increased markedly with age of the patient. The incidence of community onset sepsis according to the Sepsis-3 definition is the highest reported to date. It is 3-fold higher than that for severe sepsis, due to more generous criteria for respiratory dysfunction. A very high incidence of bacteremia was noted, partly explained by the high frequency of blood cultures.