Sepsis - symptoms and pathogens of the disease

Sepsis is a common infectious disease that occurs due to the existence of an infected focus in the body tissues. However, it has a number of differences in comparison with other diseases that have a similar etiology, that is, in the disease of sepsis the symptoms have a different picture of further development. If sepsis is considered from the point of view of its diagnosis and subsequent treatment, it is explained as a perverse or inadequate general biological response of the organism in the form of a response to the introduction into it of nonspecific microbial pathogens. In this case, it is accompanied by its generalization, proceeds in the form of a process divided into several stages having different lengths.

Sepsis - classification

There are four forms of sepsis, while they have different names and classification of surgeons (purulent-resorptive fever, chroniospsis, septicopyemia, septicemia) and pathologists (chroniospsis, septicopyemia, septicemia and bacterendocarditis). Also, depending on the entrance gate, the onset of sepsis is divided into:

• therapeutic (parainfect);

• tonsilogenous;

• surgical;

• uterine;

• oto-and odontogenic;

• umbilical;

• cryptogenic.

According to the flow velocity, the following are distinguished:

• chronic sepsis;

• subacute (from 7 to 14 days);

• acute (approximately 5-7 days);

• lightning (from 24 to 48 hours) sepsis.

There is also a division depending on the observed development of the clinical picture:

• Early - occurs within a period of not more than 3 weeks (before a direct breakthrough of the tissue);

• Late (more than 3 weeks).

In the latter case, the location of the primary focus of infection loses its significance for the further treatment of the disease. No matter what the symptoms of sepsis are with this.

Pathogens of sepsis

Etiology is diverse, since sepsis is polyethiologic. In the first place among the microbes that cause sepsis, there are still staphylococci. Because of them, approximately 50% of cases occur. After them, there are streptococci, Proteus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Despite the fact that manifestations of sepsis are non-specific, the causative agent etiology has a great influence on the features of its course, that is, the disease of sepsis symptoms and development has the following:

• Staphylococci - distant metastases, septic pneumonia;

• streptococci - the spread takes place through the lymphatic pathways (lymphadenitis, lymphangitis), also in combination with other pathogens;

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa - lightning spread, shock reaction;

• E. coli - peritonitis, peritoneal sepsis;

• clostridia - necrosis, gassing, swelling;

• Bacteroides - DIC-Syndrome.

All the features are determined by toxins and enzymes produced by bacteria.

Phases of the disease

Immunity in humans in the occurrence of sepsis is not produced. The diagnosis of sepsis and its treatment is hampered by the fact that it lacks the cyclicity that is characteristic of most infectious diseases. There is an inadequate hyperergic reaction of the body to a generalized infection, in case of its inability to localize.

Currently, the following phases of the course of the disease are distinguished, with the symptoms of sepsis being different:

• Stress - it reflects the reaction of the macroorganism to the pathogen. In the event that the local inflammatory reaction is insufficient, it is possible to include a functional protective system with the participation of sympathoadrenal and hypothalano-pituitary.

• Catabolic disorder - there is a progressive consumption of enzymatic and structural reserves of the body. As a result, decompensation of functional systems occurs.

• Anabolic, - with its onset, the lost reserves begin to recover.