Endotoxin in Gram-negative Septic Shock

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The purpose of this observational study is to determine whether endotoxin levels and/or their trends can be considered predictive of morbility or mortality in septic shock caused by gram-negative bacteria, searching also for a possible correlation with Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), White Blood Cells (WBC) and Platelets (PLT).

Detailed Description
-----------------
Medical literature states that Endotoxin (a structural molecule of the Gram-negative bacteria extracellular membrane) is able to activate target cells such as macrophages and neutrophils, inducing them to produce and release cytokine, nitric oxide and other mediators that cause a systemic inflammatory response that can evolve until to endothelial damage, shock and multi-organ failure (MOF). Since 2004 it has been possible to better determine the concentration and the activity of endotoxin in plasma, thanks to a reliable and quick to implement method: the EAA (Endotoxin Activity Assay) test, which is an alternative technique for detecting endotoxin in whole blood based on the detection of enhanced respiratory burst activity in neutrophils following their priming by complexes of endotoxin and a specific anti-endotoxin antibody. The EAA shows excellent performance characteristics in recovering endotoxin from spiked samples and can be performed within 30 min, using less than 100µl whole blood. Participants of this study (all affected by gram-negative septic shock) will show different values of endotoxin in their blood samples during their stay in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and the investigators will try to figure out if these values and their trends can be somehow predictive of morbility and/or mortality, despite the small number of septic patients and the heterogeneity of their clinical picture. So, if endotoxin induces sepsis, can the investigators also state that high values and/or trends of endotoxin can be correlated to severity of disease?

Official Title
-----------------
Endotoxin Activity Assay as a Prognostic Factor in Gram-negative Septic Shock

Conditions
-----------------
Gram Negative Septic Shock

Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock acquisition of informed consent age over 18 years old Exclusion Criteria: any diagnosis different from severe sepsis or septic shock rejection of informed consent by participant age under 18 years old any clinic condition considered not suitable by researcher

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Gram-negative Septic shock<br>Patients affected by Gram-negative septic shock | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Level of Endotoxin in blood samples | Values of endotoxin are also compared to SOFA, SAPSII, PLT, WBC | admission date (baseline) | 
| Change of Endotoxin from baseline | Values of endotoxin are also compared to SOFA, SAPSII, PLT, WBC | 3 days after admission | 
| Change of Endotoxin from baseline | Values of endotoxin are also compared to SOFA, SAPSII, PLT, WBC | 7 dayf after admission | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
EAA, Endotoxin Activity Assay, Gram negative, Septic Shock