The pathophysiology of sepsis involves a complex set of interactions between inciting toxin, host immune response and inflammatory and coagulation pathways. LPS, lipopolysaccharide; TRAF6, TNF receptor-associated factor 6; NIK, nuclear factor κβ inducing kinase; NF-κβ, nuclear factor κβ. Adopted from Cribbs SK, Martin GS. Treating sepsis: an update on the latest therapies, part 1. Infect Med 2009;26:134–143.