Community Series in New Insights in Sepsis Pathogenesis and Renal Dysfunction: Immune Mechanisms and Novel Management Strategies, volume II

Book excerpt: This Research Topic is the second volume of the “New Insights in Sepsis Pathogenesis and Renal Dysfunction: Immune Mechanisms and Novel Management Strategies” Community Series. Please see the first volume here. Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to an active infectious process in the host; the symptoms are mainly produced by host defense systems rather than by the invading pathogens, involving pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes. The association of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and sepsis ranges from 45% to 70% of cases, with a significantly increased risk of death, progression toward chronic kidney disease and increased health resource utilization. Despite relevant therapeutic advances, sepsis-related AKI remains associated with an unacceptably high morbidity/mortality risk, increased health resource utilization, as well as - in survivors - with increased risk of transition to chronic kidney disease. Currently there are no approved treatments for sepsis-related AKI. The main objective of this research topic is to shed new light on sepsis pathogenesis and provide new potential therapeutic strategies to prevent the progression to AKI.