Bacteremia, Septicemia - Symptoms, Septic Shock, DIC, Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Symptoms of septicemia

The symptoms of septicemia include

• fever

• hypothermia (low body temperature)

• chills

• hyperventilation (abnormally increased breathing leading to excess loss of CO₂ from the body)

• subsequent respiratory alkalosis (loss of acid leading to increase in pH)

• skin lesion

• change in mental status

• diarrhea

The more critical/serious manifestations of septicemia include:

• Hypotension (low blood pressure)

• DIC (Disseminated intravascular coagulation)

• major organ system failure - heart, lungs, kidney

• septic shock

Septic Shock

Septic shock is a life-threatening critical condition that occurs when blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level after an infection. This usually occurs after sepsis which begins with weakness, chills, and a rapid heart and breathing rate. If left untreated, septic shock occurs.

Septic Shock is characterized by

• fever

• shock

• nausea

• vomiting

• cold, clammy, and pale skin

• increased in heart rate

• tissue destruction

• low blood pressure (hypotension)

• intravascular coagulation

• acute respiratory distress

• respiratory failure

• renal failure

• heart failure

It can be initiated by exotoxins or endotoxins and is mediated by the production of cytokines from activated mononuclear cells such as Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and Interleukins (IL).

In immunocompromised patients, infections are also caused by microorganisms that are considered contaminants when isolated from blood cultures such as Corynebacterium jeikeium.

Thus, microbiologists must be familiar with unusual pathogens isolated from blood cultures obtained from immunocompromised patients and organisms that require special techniques for isolation.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

DIC is a complication of individuals suffering from severe sepsis or septic shock. In this condition, a vicious cycle may occur- both blood clotting and difficulty with clotting.

In capillaries, the microscopic blood vessels, small blood clots may occur which results in the blockage of the blood flow to many parts of your body including the organs. As blood flow stops, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to tissues is hindered.

In the reverse cycle, DIC can increase bleeding. The blood clotting proteins such as fibrinogen are highly produced in response to multiple blood clots in the blood vessels. In such cases, there is not enough fibrinogen left to clot the blood elsewhere.