The Role of Biomarkers in the Diagnosis and Management of Severe Infections in the Critically Ill.

The diagnosis and management of critically ill patients with severe infection is complex. Severe infections in critically ill populations is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and includes sepsis, drug resistant infections, opportunistic infections in immunocompromising illness (eg, cancer, human immunodeficiency virus, etc.), community acquired pneumonia (viral and bacterial), ventilator-associated pneumonia, complicated genitourinary infection, and others. The clinical evaluation methods through a comprehensive history collection and physical examination does not yield enough diagnostic data to identify the pathogen(s), control the source of infection, or monitor the progress or deterioration of the patient's condition.