title: Antimicrobial treatment of sepsis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and death in hospitalized patients worldwide and one of the largest current challenges in critical care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of the pertinent English-language literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment goals conventionally have included maintenance of systemic perfusion and eradication of sources of infection. Initial empiric antimicrobial regimen should be broad enough to cover all likely pathogens, as there is little margin for error in critically ill patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A multidisciplinary team, including the critical care physician, the microbiologist, the infectious disease specialist, the surgeon, and the clinical pharmacologist, is necessary for optimal patient outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. paolo.grossi@uninsubria
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grossi
authors.forename: Daniela Dalla
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Gasperina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents