Unveiling the Overlooked Role of Viral Pathogens in Sepsis
A study conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School highlights the importance of monitoring for sepsis in COVID-19 patients. The study found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, contributed to a significant proportion of sepsis cases. The researchers emphasized the need for sepsis surveillance strategies that consider viral forms of sepsis and tailor diagnosis and treatment to each patient's syndrome and probable pathogen. The study also revealed that mortality rates for SARS-CoV-2-associated sepsis remained relatively high, underscoring the severity of the condition. The authors recommend watching for viral sepsis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and considering potential viral culprits in patients who have already developed the complication.