Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: Septic shock: * New onset (\<24h) of septic shock diagnosis according to Sepsis-3 definition * (suspected) infection * Vasopressors required to maintain mean arterial pressure ≥65mm Hg (despite adequate fluid resuscitation) * Serum lactate level \> 2mmol/L * Minimum age of 18 years * Expected length of stay \>48h * Written consent from an independent physician Critically ill: * Patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) in the ICU without an admission diagnosis of sepsis/septic shock according to Sepsis-3 definition * Minimum age of 18 years * Expected length of stay \>48h * Written consent from an independent physician Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 18 years * Patients known not to speak German or French * Patients with known. 1. Pre-existing congenital or acquired severe immune deficiency (e.g. severe combined immunodeficiency, HIV infection, AIDS) or 2. current immunosuppressive therapy (immunosuppressive biologicals or active lymphocyte therapy e.g. endoxan, rituximab or corticosteroid use at a dose \> 10 mg/day equivalent of prednisone. However, acute corticosteroid treatment of a relative adrenal insufficiency using a maximum hydrocortisone dose of 200 mg/day is accepted.