Microbiological Aspects of Septic Shock

Septic shock is a convenient clinical term used to describe a condition in which severe hemodynamic instability is attributable principally or wholly to infection. Although bacteria are clearly involved in this process, interpretation of their role has changed in recent years, and it is now generally accepted that host defence and environmental factors also exert a major influence on the development of the syndrome. This chapter presents a clinical appraisal of the microbiological aspects of septic shock in the context of general intensive care, with special reference to patients suffering from surgical complications or major trauma. No attempt is made to discuss laboratory aspects.