Evaluation of Immunosuppression in Septic Shock: Biomarkers and Pharmacological Restoration (IMMUNOSEPSIS)
Evaluation of Immunosuppression in Septic Shock: Biomarkers and Pharmacological Restoration (IMMUNOSEPSIS)
Septic syndromes (systemic inflammatory response associated with infection) remain a major
 although largely under-recognized health care problem and represent the first cause of
 mortality in intensive care units. While it has long been known that sepsis deeply perturbs
 immune homeostasis by inducing a tremendous systemic inflammatory response, novel findings
 indicate that sepsis indeed initiates a more complex immunologic response that varies over
 time, with the concomitant occurrence of both pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. As a
 resultant, after a short pro-inflammatory phase, septic patients enter a stage of protracted
 immunosuppression. This is illustrated in those patients by reactivation of dormant viruses
 (CMV or HSV) or infections due to pathogens, including fungi, which are normally pathogenic
 solely in immunocompromised hosts. These alterations might be directly responsible for
 worsening outcome in patients who survived initial resuscitation as nearly all immune
 functions are deeply compromised. Both arms of immunity (innate and adaptive) are indeed
 markedly suppressed (including enhanced leukocyte apoptosis, lymphocyte anergy and
 deactivated monocyte functions). New promising therapeutic avenues are currently emerging
 from those recent findings such as adjunctive immunostimulation for the most immunosuppressed
 patients. The prerequisite for immunostimulation administration (IFNg, GM-CSF, IL-7) however
 relies on the investigators capacity in identifying the patients who could benefit from it,
 as there is no clinical sign of immune dysfunctions. The main objectives are:

 1. to identify the best biomarkers for sepsis-induced immunosuppression and

 2. to evaluate ex vivo whether drugs could rejuvenate immune functions.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  septic shock is defined by an identifiable site of infection, persisting hypotension
 despite fluid resuscitation requiring vasopressor therapy, and evidence of a systemic
 inflammatory response

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  age < 18

 -  immunosuppressive disease (HIV, cancer, primary immune deficiency)

 -  immunosuppressive treatment or corticoid treatment (dosage > 10mg/day or cumulative
 dose >700 mg equivalent prednisolone)

 -  aplasia as defined by number of circulating neutrophils < 500 cells / mm3

 -  extracorporeal circulation during the month prior ICU admission