Key message
Early recognition of sepsis is of paramount importance since the likelihood of a clinical cure is higher the earlier antibiotic treatment is instituted. However, there are hardly any reliable biomarkers for the early detection of sepsis. In a mouse model of sepsis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes we have detected declining lymphocyte numbers in blood (lymphopenia) as a reliable marker for the detection of spread of the bacteria in the blood stream.
Translational perspective
Based on these results one can now design studies in humans to assess the value of lymphopenia for the early detection of sepsis caused by this pathogen.