[Sepsis--continual pathogenetic, diagnostic and therapeutic problem]

Sepsis is defined as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) caused by infection. Massive activation of humoral and cellular mechanisms of host defense is present and can lead to a multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Sepsis is good example, that inflammation binds with considerable energetic and metabolic effort of organism i.e. demand for oxygen, protein and microelements. The effort during SIRS exceeds compensatory abilities of organism, cause shock and death. The high mortality (40-70% in the case of septic shock) is a good illustration of the therapeutic problem. In the paper pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of sepsis was described. Pathogenetic importance of intoxication was explained--massive intoxication (for example by Staphylococcal enterotoxin) without infection cans lead to SIRS too. Precious advice in selection of antibiotic were given. Advantage penicillins and karbapenems over cephalosporins result from binding to PBP 2 or 1, considerably smaller release of free endotoxin and smaller induction Jarish-Heixhaimer's reaction. The side effect stimulates inflammation and deepens SIRS by release toxins and increase of TNF-alpha.