Journal of Inflammation Research

Sepsis in Intensive Care Medicine: Infection, Inflammation and Multiple Organ Failure

The Journal of Inflammation Research is pleased to welcome you to submit your research to the Article Collection "Sepsis in Intensive Care Medicine: Infection, Inflammation and Multiple Organ Failure".

Sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction triggered by a dysregulated host response to infection, remains a global public health issue, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), where patients are most vulnerable. Despite advances in early pathogen identification, antimicrobial, supportive therapy, and organ-protective strategies, mortality in sepsis remains unacceptably high. Sepsis is characterized by the cytokine storm, which can be triggered by different infectious agents like bacteria, viruses or fungi. To late recognized, the cytokine storm can lead to multiple organ failure and death.

Understanding the interplay between infectious agents, excessive inflammation, immune paralysis, microvascular failure, and metabolic anomalies, remains central to improving outcomes. Because of the heterogeneity of infectious pathogens and the host immune response, early identification of the infectious agent, pathogen-specific diagnosis, and optimisation of antimicrobial and supportive therapies remain a challenge. Therefore, constant research towards precise diagnosis and treatment strategies are imperative needed.

Sepsis is a topic of great importance in intensive care wards. Although attempts have been striven in early recognition and targeted intervention, the mortality in sepsis remains high. Worldwide is emphasized through campaigns, like the Sepsis Survival Campaign that prompt identification of infection, early and appropriate antimicrobial therapy as well as source control can lead to a better outcome. Distinguishing sepsis from non-infectious inflammation is crucial to guide pathogen-directed therapy. This can be achieved through continuous research in microbiological diagnostics, molecular testing, and infection-related biomarkers. Ongoing research is needed to advance rapid, pathogen-specific diagnostic tools, antimicrobial stewardship in sepsis management, and targeted therapies based on host–pathogen interactions. Nevertheless, greater insights into the cytokine storm, pathogen diversity and immune dysregulation in infection will support more personalized and effective treatment approaches.

Studies that investigate the infectious drivers of sepsis and inflammation and evaluate interventions targeting these mechanisms are particularly encouraged.

We welcome submissions that explicitly address the infectious etiology of sepsis, and the cytokine storm including but not limited to:

• Biomarkers and diagnostics that differentiate infection-driven sepsis from non-infectious conditions
• Mechanisms of bacterial translocation in sepsis, including endothelial and epithelial dysfunction
• Geographic disparities in sepsis burden
• Microbial etiology and antimicrobial resistance in sepsis
• Optimisation of antimicrobial therapy, source control, and infection management in septic patients
• Host–pathogen interactions, inflammation and immune responses in infection-associated sepsis
• Clinical outcomes linked to specific infections or pathogens causing sepsis

Keywords: Sepsis; Septic shock; Pathogen-driven infection; Inflammation; Cytokine storm

Meet the Guest Advisors

Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Vlad Pavel is a specialist in internal medicine. He has additional qualifications in intensive care medicine (ICU), emergency medicine, and travel medicine (DTG). His current position is as a senior physician in the Department of Internal Medicine I (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases) at University Hospital Regensburg (UKR), Germany.
After obtaining his medical doctorate (Dr. med.) from the University of Regensburg, he developed his clinical and scientific expertise in sepsis pathophysiology and diagnostics, as well as interventional endoscopy and minimally invasive techniques on the ICU, as for e.g. the minimally invasive tracheostomy technique (MIT), established by him and his team. His research in these areas has resulted in several scientific publications and formed part of his academic work leading to his Habilitation.

Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Patricia Mester is a specialist in internal medicine and gastroenterology with additional qualifications in intensive care medicine, emergency medicine, and travel medicine (DTG). She works as a senior physician in the Department of Internal Medicine I (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases) at University Hospital Regensburg (UKR), Germany. She obtained her medical doctorate (Dr. med.) from the University of Regensburg and subsequently developed her clinical and scientific expertise in sepsis pathophysiology and diagnostics, as well as interventional endoscopy. Her research in these areas has resulted in several scientific publications and formed part of her academic work leading to her Habilitation.