Sepsis associated with immunosuppressive medications: an evidence-based review.
OBJECTIVE
In 2003, critical care and infectious disease experts representing 11 international organizations developed management guidelines for sepsis associated with immunosuppressive medications that would be of practical use for the bedside clinician, under the auspices of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, an international effort to increase awareness and improve outcome in severe sepsis.


METHODS
The process included a modified Delphi method, a consensus conference, several subsequent smaller meetings of subgroups and key individuals, teleconferences, and electronic-based discussion among subgroups and among the entire committee.


METHODS
The modified Delphi methodology used for grading recommendations built on a 2001 publication sponsored by the International Sepsis Forum. We undertook a systematic review of the literature graded along five levels to create recommendation grades from A to E, with A being the highest grade. Pediatric considerations to contrast adult and pediatric management are in the article by Parker et al. on p. S591.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunosuppressed patients, by definition, are susceptible to a wider spectrum of infectious agents than immunologically normal patients and, thus, require a broader spectrum antimicrobial regimen when they present with sepsis or septic shock. Special expertise managing immunosuppressed patient populations is needed to predict and establish the correct diagnosis and to choose appropriate empiric and specific agents and maximize the likelihood that patients will survive these microbial challenges.
Gea-Banacloche
Juan C
JC
National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Opal
Steven M
SM
Jorgensen
James
J
Carcillo
Joseph A
JA
Sepkowitz
Kent A
KA
Cordonnier
Catherine
C
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D020104:Immunophilins / Q000378:metabolism; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D020104:Immunophilins; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid