New sepsis research finds varying response

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggests not all sepsis patients mount the same immune response, even when the responses appear clinically the same.

In the first large-scale natural history study of sepsis, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers determined past interpretations of how the body responds to infection -- upon which many treatments are based -- were incorrect.

Sepsis, an overwhelming bacterial infection of blood and tissue, is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

"With sepsis, we’re dealing with one of the deadliest diseases, yet we know so little about the condition," said Dr. Derek Angus, vice chairman of research at the school. "The situation is similar to what this country experienced over 50 years ago with heart disease … we didn’t know enough about the disease to effectively treat and prevent it.

"In response, the National Institutes of Health embarked on the Framingham Heart Study, the results of which have influenced everything we know about the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. With our study, we’re hoping to do the same for sepsis …"

The study appears in the current issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.