Diagnostic kit for sepsis and septic shock patients

José Luis García Giménez

Ciber, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédica en Red, Spain

When an infection reaches the bloodstream and spreads to the organs, threatening the host immune system, a new case of sepsis occurs. In this situation, the exacerbated response to infection may lead to progression of sepsis to septic shock, leading to multi-organ failure and increased mortality. Today, sepsis remains a global health problem in the vast majority of intensive care units despite advances in clinical and therapeutic approaches. The number of annual cases of sepsis in Spain is 50,000 (17,000 deaths), and worldwide 30 million (6 million deaths), with associated costs of €84.4 billion.

Early recognition of sepsis and rapid initiation of treatment is the best strategy for increasing patient survival and reducing associated deaths. However, this remains a health challenge. The HistShock IVD kit is a test based on the measurement of circulating histones in plasma using mass spectrometry, providing a rapid and prognostic diagnosis for sepsis and septic shock. Histones participate in organ failure and higher levels of histones correlate with poorer prognosis. The aim of this project is to reduce the mortality associated with sepsis by around 25% thanks to early diagnosis, reducing ICU stays and high hospital costs. Finally, this project would contribute to reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotic therapies, avoiding future bacterial resistance.