Bacteria and host: what does this mean for sepsis bottleneck?

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening inflammatory condition in which the invading pathogen avoids the host's defense mechanisms and continuously stimulates and damages host cells. Consequently, many immune responses initially triggered for protection become harmful because of the failure to restore homeostasis, resulting in ongoing hyperinflammation and immunosuppression.

Methods: A literature review was conducted to address bacterial sepsis, describe advances in understanding complex immunological reactions, critically assess diagnostic approaches, and emphasize the importance of studying bacterial bottlenecks in the detection and treatment of sepsis.

Results: Diagnosing sepsis via a single laboratory test is not feasible; therefore, multiple key biomarkers are typically monitored, with a focus on trends rather than absolute values. The immediate interpretation of sepsis-associated clinical signs and symptoms, along with the use of specific and sensitive laboratory tests, is crucial for the survival of patients in the early stages. However, long-term mortality associated with sepsis is now recognized, and alongside the progression of this condition, there is an in vivo selection of adapted pathogens.

Conclusion: Bacterial sepsis remains a significant cause of mortality across all ages and societies. While substantial progress has been made in understanding the immunological mechanisms underlying the inflammatory response, there is growing recognition that the ongoing host-pathogen interactions, including the emergence of adapted virulent strains, shape both the acute and long-term outcomes in sepsis. This underscores the urgent need for novel high-throughput diagnostic methods and a shift toward more pre-emptive, rather than reactive, treatment strategies in sepsis care.