[Epidemiologic aspects of sepsis]

Sepsis is increasingly common and is now emerging as a iatrogenic condition, though the increase relates to both hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections. The causes and modalities of sepsis are reviewed with particular emphasis on the invasive treatment now extensively employed in patients with severe concomitant pathologies and immune deficiencies. The changing aetiology of the various forms of sepsis is analysed. These days common opportunistic Gram negative bacilli such as Enterobacteriacea and Pseudomonas as well as Candida mycetes are the most frequent cause of sepsis. The diagnostic importance of blood culture analysis is emphasised.