Sepsis is a very dangerous blood infection. It lowers blood pressure and also increases heart rate. It also increases the risk of organ failure. So, it needs early diagnosis and proper treatment. In the past, healthcare professionals used to focus on the microbes present in the gut of people with sepsis. They used to think that they were responsible for it. But according to a recent study conducted by researchers from the Southern Medical University in China, microbes present in the respiratory tract are also very important. They have found that microbes present in the respiratory tract can accurately predict sepsis.Â
This research was published in Microbiology Spectrum. In this study, researchers involved 157 ICU patients. 89 of these patients were with sepsis and the remaining 68 were without sepsis. Researchers mainly wanted to find biomarkers that can predict sepsis accurately. So, they collected nasal swabs and fecal samples of these participants. Then they studied these samples by using advanced DNA sequencing technology and machine learning techniques. Â
When researchers observed the collected data carefully, they found that microbes present in the nose of people with sepsis had very less community richness and a a different genetic composition as compared to those without sepsis. They also found that bacteria such as Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas were very common in people with sepsis. Â
One of the researchers and reputed doctors said that there is a need for further research to understand the role of these microbes in sepsis better. He also said that in future studies they can involve animals or larger groups of patients. So, they can understand this connection accurately. Â
The results of this study clearly show that people with sepsis have some bacteria in their nose. So, healthcare professionals can use it and diagnose sepsis accurately and earlier. They should make some effective strategies and focus on microbiota in the nose when they are dealing with people who have symptoms of sepsis. Â
Reference Link:Â
Microbiology Spectrum (2024).Â
