Sepsis is caused by the body's overwhelming and dangerous response to an infection. This infection can be bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic in origin
Key causes and sources of infection leading to sepsis:
- Bacterial infections are the most common cause, including bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus pyogenes , Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Klebsiella species
- Viral infections can also trigger sepsis, including viruses like COVID-19
- Fungal infections , notably by Candida species, account for a smaller percentage of sepsis cases
- Parasitic infections , such as malaria caused by Plasmodium , can also lead to sepsis
Common infection sites that can lead to sepsis:
- Lungs (e.g., pneumonia)
- Urinary tract infections
- Abdominal infections (e.g., appendicitis, peritonitis)
- Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis, wound infections)
- Infections of the brain and nervous system (e.g., meningitis)
- Bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia)
Sepsis occurs when the infection spreads beyond a localized area and the immune system's response causes widespread inflammation, which can damage organs and lead to life-threatening complications
. The body's immune overreaction to the infection results in systemic inflammation, organ dysfunction, and potentially circulatory collapse
. In summary, sepsis is caused by an infection anywhere in the body that triggers a harmful systemic immune response, most commonly from bacterial infections but also from viral, fungal, or parasitic infections
