title: Septic shock with disseminated microfoci in multiple organs in humans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Histological assessment of tissue damage and localisation of bacteria in autopsy materials of patients who died of septic shock.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  General and paediatric intensive care units, Tartu University Hospitals and Institute of Anatomy, Tartu University.
  
  
  METHODS
  2 patients, who died of septic shock; 1 patient, who died of trauma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tissue samples of different organs (lungs, heart, spleen, pancreas, liver, adrenals, kidneys and brain) were studied for the presence of bacteria and for the local inflammatory reaction with light microscopy. Bacteria (cocci) were found in the capillaries and tissues of both septic shock patients, but not in the control patient. Capillary dilation, oedema, stasis and cell death, but no polymorphonuclear infiltration, were seen around the foci of bacterial invasion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Massive penetration of bacteria into all tissues without significant polymorphonuclear infiltration may take place in severe septic shock.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Tartu University, Estonia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Talvik
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liigant
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tapfer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tamme
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Metsvaht
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology