Clinical Research Directory

Hepcidin: a Prognostic Marker of Morbidity and Mortality in Severe Sepsis?

Many biomarkers have been evaluated in sepsis, especially for prognostic purposes, but none has yet been shown to have sufficient sensitivity or specificity for routine use in clinical practice. However, highlighting a biomarker facilitating the evaluation of the severity of sepsis remains relevant in a pathology where survival is largely conditioned by the initiation of an early and adapted treatment. Recent evidence suggests that hepcidin, which is the key hormone for systemic regulation of iron metabolism, may be an interesting prognostic biomarker. The synthesis of this peptide is regulated by the iron stocks of the body, erythropoiesis, but also inflammation. The mechanisms inducing the expression of hepcidin during inflammation are multiple: interleukin-6 (IL-6) in particular, pro-inflammatory cytokine is a strong inducer of hepcidin. In addition, its expression is increased by the effect of lipopolysaccharide via Toll-like receptors . In septic patients, elevated levels of hepcidin or pro-hepcidin have been reported . A new role for hepcidin in the control of inflammatory and / or immune response has recently been reported. Thus, in a model of murine septic shock, the deleterious character of a lack of expression of hepcidin could be demonstrated . In humans, hepcidinemia has been shown to be a predictive factor in the development of immunotolerance in hepatic transplant patients. Hepcidin therefore plays a major role in the regulation of the inflammatory and / or immune response and in particular during sepsis. The investigators therefore hypothesize that hepcidin could be the marker of an adverse prognosis in septic patients expressing this

Paramedic Initiated Treatment of Sepsis Targeting Out-of-hospital Patients (PITSTOP)

Sepsis occurs when a serious infection - most commonly infection of the lungs, urinary system, or blood - leads to acute organ failure. It is a common, expensive, and frequently lethal condition. A growing body of evidence suggests that early recognition and treatment of sepsis can improve survival. Unfortunately, many patients with sepsis do not receive key therapies until physicians working in Emergency Departments have assessed them - often introducing marked delays. It is estimated that one-half of patients with sepsis are treated and transported to hospital by paramedics. This allows paramedics a unique opportunity to provide early treatment at the initial point of patient contact, thereby decreasing the time to treatment for these critically ill patients. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether prompt recognition followed by early antibiotics and/or intravenous fluids delivered by paramedics in the field leads to improved survival, compared to usual care, for patients who are transported to the hospital with sepsis.