The Search for a Sepsis Signal

Simon Walker and Cathal McElgunn discuss the diagnostic gaps in sepsis and the biomarker science that could help close them

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Sepsis is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are varied and nonspecific, and current blood tests often detect inflammation without identifying a dangerous trajectory.
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Blood cultures can identify an organism and guide antibiotic selection, but results may take 48 hours or more, while sepsis can progress rapidly.
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Simon Walker and Cathal McElgunn say an earlier sepsis-risk test could complement microbiological testing and help clinicians assess whether to escalate treatment.
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Published research suggests that a higher oxidized-to-total PTX3 ratio correlates with more severe sepsis and that the ratio declines as patients improve.
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MicrosensDx is developing an immunoassay to distinguish oxidized from nonoxidized PTX3; its antibody pair is in optimization, with the linearity range established.

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