title: The complex link between influenza and severe sepsis.
abstract: Severe sepsis is traditionally associated with bacterial diseases. While fungi and parasites can also cause sepsis, they are significantly less common than bacterial causes. However, viruses are becoming a growing cause of severe sepsis worldwide. Among these viruses, influenza is crossing all geographic boundaries and is causing larger epidemics and pandemics. As a consequence, more critically ill patients with severe sepsis caused directly by influenza viruses, or indirectly by influenza-induced secondary bacterial infections are being admitted to hospitals worldwide. This manuscript aims to provide a pathophysiological and clinical update on the link between influenza and severe sepsis.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Division; Internal Medicine Department; University of Nebraska Medical Center; Omaha, NE USA.
authors.forename: Diana F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Florescu
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Division; Internal Medicine Department; University of Nebraska Medical Center; Omaha, NE USA.
authors.forename: Andre C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Kalil
mesh_terms: D060085:Coinfection / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*
keywords: infection; influenza; sepsis; severe sepsis; viral