Diagnosis Commons^™

Biomarkers Of Sepsis: A Retrospective Approach, Jose M. Roberts

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Background: Biomarkers are taking the spotlight in becoming the norm for early diagnoses. Sepsis is an inflammatory disease that increases metabolic rate in children. The first biomarker is hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is a frequent electrolyte imbalance in clinical practice, often observed in children with inflammatory disease and infection. Presence of hyponatremia is associated with electrical signaling imbalances, inflammation and renal dysfunction. The clinical value of hyponatremia in pediatric patients is unknown. The C-reactive protein is a second biomarker. Its presence signifies that necrotic cells and inflammation are present.

Objectives: To evaluate the use of biomarkers in children seen in the Emergency …

Development Of A Molecular Gram-Stain Assay For The Diagnosis Of Blood Stream Infections Associated With Sepsis, Douglas Bryan Litwin

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Sepsis is a serious medical condition resulting from the severe dysregulation of the immune response that is generally triggered by infection. It affects more than 1.1 million Americans, has an average mortality rate of 30%, and is estimated to cost $24.3 billion annually. Currently, blood culture followed by Gram-stain analysis is the gold standard for diagnosing bacterial infections associated with sepsis. This method generates a high rate of false negative results and, in general, requires 20 to 48 hr to provide results. Both of these problems are related to the requirement that the bacterial pathogens grow under defined laboratory conditions. …