RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF SEPSIS - EVALUATION OF ANTIENDOTOXIN ANTIBODIES AND BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE MODIFIERS

Sepsis and septic shock are among the most frequent life-threatening i nfectious disease problems encountered in emergency medicine practice. This review summarizes the extensive research into the pathophysiolog y of sepsis, with emphasis on Gram-negative infection. Particular refe rence is given to the exogenous and endogenous mediators involved in t he sepsis cascade. It also critically evaluates new preparations devel oped to blunt the actions of the exogenous and endogenous mediators re sponsible for the clinical manifestations comprising this syndrome. Cl inical signs likely to be associated with Gram-negative infection are also reviewed, and guidelines are considered for the potential use of newly developed anti-endotoxin antibodies and other biological respons e modifiers in the treatment of patients with Gram-negative sepsis.