The presence of superantigens and complex host responses in severe sepsis may need a broad therapeutic approach.

Patients with sepsis can progress into septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. Various materials secreted by or released from microorganisms such as bacteria initiate these processes. In some bacteria, certain antigens and toxins may cause a 100-fold greater or supernormal activation of monocytes and T lymphocytes, leading to activation of the cascade systems in the host. This can explain the extremely rapid progress of the sepsis into septic shock seen in some patients. In Group A streptococci, more than 100 different toxins have been identified, about 5 of which (superantigens) cause an extremely fast immunological response. Because the toxins and antigens can activate so many different cascade systems in the host, the clinical picture is extremely complex, and little benefit is derived from therapy, which interferes with only 1 or 2 of the parameters in the patient with sepsis. Instead, reversal of the septic shock requires the removal or inhibition of several toxins or substances activating the cascade systems. A broader therapeutic approach may be the use of apheresis (plasma exchange).