Sepsis Flashcards
What does sepsis cause in the body?
Sepsis occurs following an immune response and the body’s release of inflammatory mediators in the presence of infectious microorganisms.
What are the 3 different responses of infections?
Host immune response
Inflammatory response
Pro-coagulant response
What is the host immune response?
When a pathogens enters the body increases white blood cells.
During this wbc’s release inflammatory mediators (prostaglandins, cytokines)
What are neutrophils?
Kill bacteria, fungi and foreign debris
What are monocytes?
Clean up damaged cells
What are eosinophils?
Kill parasites, cancer cells and involved in allergic response
What are monocytes in cells called and what are the responsible for?
Macrophages and are responsible for phagocytosis.
What are lymphocytes?
Help fight viruses and make antibodies
What are basophils?
Help with the allergic reaction
What are cytokines?
Cytokines are short-lived proteins that are released by a cell to regulate the function of another cell – thereby acting as intercellular chemical messengers
What are cytokines produced by?
Macrophages and activated lymphocytes
What do cytokines mediate?
Acute-phase response (raising temperature to battle illness)
What is the inflammatory response?
The different inflammatory mediators attempt to trap the pathogen to prevent further damage.
These mediators normally:
Dilate blood vessels causing warmth and redness
Swelling due to increased movement of fluid
Pain occurs as nociceptors are triggered.
What is a cytokine storm?
When all of the inflammatory mediators go though the whole body in the blood stream. This causes excessive cytokine release.
Causes:
Vasodilation
Increased capillary permeability
Breakdown of endothelial cell walls.
What is the procoagulant response?
Blood clotting.
