Global Perspectives on Sepsis: Epidemiology, Awareness and Treatment Strategies

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Intensive Care/ Anesthesiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2025 | Viewed by 1035

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Interests: sepsis; septic shock; prognosis; presepsin; neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR); agenesis of ductus venosus; portal venous system anomalies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sepsis, a life-threatening condition resulting from a dysregulated host response to infection, has been a significant global health concern for decades. Despite advances in medicine, sepsis continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The condition has complex etiologies, making it difficult to diagnose and treat, especially in resource-limited settings. Historical milestones in understanding sepsis include the early recognition of its systemic inflammatory nature and the development of protocols such as the "Surviving Sepsis Campaign." However, the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and disparities in healthcare delivery have added new dimensions to this age-old challenge, necessitating renewed focus and collaborative global strategies.

This Special Issue, Global Perspectives on Sepsis: Epidemiology, Awareness and Treatment Strategies, will provide a comprehensive platform for discussing the latest developments in sepsis research, prevention, and management. By integrating insights from epidemiological studies, clinical advancements, and public health efforts, this Special Issue will address global disparities in sepsis outcomes and resource allocation. It emphasizes the importance of innovative diagnostic tools, effective treatment protocols, and global awareness campaigns for reducing the burden of sepsis. This Special Issue will serve as a multidisciplinary forum for advancing understanding, fostering collaboration, and shaping policies to improve sepsis care globally.

This Special Issue will feature cutting-edge research that explores novel approaches to diagnosing, treating, and managing sepsis. Topics of interest include the following:

  • Development and implementation of biomarkers and rapid diagnostic tools;
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in sepsis prediction and management;
  • Innovations in antimicrobial therapies and strategies to combat resistance;
  • Insights into the immunopathology and molecular mechanisms of sepsis;
  • Advances in personalized medicine, such as precision therapeutics tailored to individual patient profiles;
  • Global epidemiological trends, highlighting disparities in incidence, outcomes, and resource availability;
  • Evaluation of awareness campaigns and their impacts on early detection and treatment;
  • Health systems approaches for improving sepsis care in low-resource settings.

We invite original research articles, reviews, meta-analyses, clinical case studies, and commentaries that align with the following themes:

  • Epidemiological studies examining the global and regional burden of sepsis;
  • Research on diagnostic innovations, including biomarkers and imaging techniques;
  • Studies on treatment protocols, including the use of advanced therapies and supportive care;
  • Investigations into the role of antimicrobial resistance in sepsis outcomes;
  • Papers highlighting the challenges and successes of awareness campaigns;
  • Research on healthcare disparities and access to sepsis care in different regions;
  • Contributions on public health policies and interventions for improving sepsis outcomes;
  • Translational research bridging basic science findings with clinical applications;
  • Perspectives on sepsis management in specialized populations, such as neonates, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients.

Dr. Alice Dragoescu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sepsis
  • global health
  • treatment strategies
  • early diagnosis
  • personalized medicine
  • immunopathology
  • awareness campaigns

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 5269 KiB  
Article
Endogenous IL-7 Variation in Relation to Lymphocyte Subtypes in Septic Patients
by Raluca-Ștefania Fodor, Alice Drăgoescu, Oana Coman, Adina Huțanu, Anca Bacârea and Bianca-Liana Grigorescu
Medicina 2025, 61(2), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61020258 - 2 Feb 2025
Viewed by 381
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Sepsis triggers a complex immune response, disrupting the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory signals and causing widespread immune cell apoptosis. Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is emerging as one of the most promising immunoadjuvants to boost host immunity during the immunosuppressive [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Sepsis triggers a complex immune response, disrupting the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory signals and causing widespread immune cell apoptosis. Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is emerging as one of the most promising immunoadjuvants to boost host immunity during the immunosuppressive phase of the disorder. This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of endogenous plasma levels of IL-7 during sepsis and septic shock, correlating its levels with lymphopenia and various lymphocyte subtypes, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells, and natural killer T cells (NKT), in both survivors and non-survivors. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study included 87 critically ill patients. We categorized the patients into four subgroups based on their diagnosis (sepsis or septic shock) and survival status (survivors and non-survivors). The parameters were monitored on day 1 (when sepsis was diagnosed according to the Sepsis-3 Consensus) and again on day 5. Eighty-two healthy volunteers were included as a control group to establish the cut-off values for IL-7. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in median values between days 1 and 5 for lymphocytes (p = 0.01) and NKT cells (p = 0.01), observed only in sepsis survivors. In the group of sepsis survivors, we observed a negative correlation between IL-7 levels and NKT cells but only on day 1. Additionally, we identified negative correlations between Th cells (CD4+) and Tc cells (CD8+) on both day 1 and day 5. In the group of sepsis non-survivors, we observed a positive correlation between IL-7 and B cells (CD19+) but only on day 1. We also identified a negative correlation between Th cells (CD4+) and Tc cells (CD8+) on day 1. In the group of septic shock survivors, we did not observe any correlation between IL-7 levels and other parameters studied on day 1 or day 5. We identified a negative correlation between Th cells (CD4+) and Tc cells (CD8+) on both day 1 and day 5, a negative correlation between Th cells (CD4+) and NKT cells on both day 1 and day 5, and a positive correlation between Th cells (CD4+) and B cells (CD19+) on day 1. In the group of septic shock non-survivors, we did not observe any correlation between IL-7 and other parameters studied. Conclusions: Determining the IL-7 plasmatic value every five days did not demonstrate the necessary sensitivity and specificity as a biomarker to accurately assess each patient’s immune balance. Endogenous IL-7 levels appear inadequate to overcome the immunosuppressive environment induced by sepsis. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop