Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition caused by extensive whole-body inflammatory reaction and infection. Immediate diagnosis is paramount for patient survival and the EU-funded project RAIS has developed a new portable photonic device that can diagnose sepsis in less than 30 min.
Sepsis is a pathological condition characterised by the inadequate inflammatory response to an infection, possibly leading to organ dysfunction. This disease can be caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, and its management basically focuses on how the infection is regulated through source control and antibiotics. The social and economic costs of sepsis are high with approximately 20 000 deaths occurring daily worldwide. In 2008, more than EUR 10 billion was spent on hospitalisation for sepsis in Europe and the United States.
Further details: Portable device detects sepsis in half an hour