Sepsis is a very complex and dynamic syndrome defined as a dysregulated host response to an infection but manifests as a complex infectious and immunological disorder. At present, over 20 million people are estimated to suffer from sepsis worldwide every year, where 6 million die in hospitals and another 5 million die within a year. There is a lack of early diagnostic tools and also novel non-antibiotic therapies. Also, in recent years it has become increasingly evident that sepsis survivors suffer serious negative long-term consequences. Sepsis results in massive activation of the host immune defense system both from innate and adaptive immune system. However, the sepsis can vary widely over the course of the infection and the molecular response in sepsis may be highly specific to individuals or group of individuals as a result of several factors such as i) different infecting pathogens, ii) different sites of infection, iii) host phenotypes such as gender, age, comorbidities, genetic predisposition, and iv) stage or time point of the pro- or anti-inflammatory cascades. Further understanding of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of sepsis is essential for development of diagnostic tools and novel treatment options.

Please join us in presenting this Special Issue that reveals novel evidence of sepsis epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic tools, treatments and long-term consequences.