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. 2022 Oct 23;11(11):1460. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics11111460

Table 1.

Evolution of sepsis definition over time.

Original Sepsis Definitions (ACCP and SCCM 1991 Consensus Conference) New Sepsis-3 Definitions (2016 Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock)
SIRS A clinical response arising from a non specific insult, including 2 of the following:
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    Temperature >38 °C or <36 °C

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    HR ≥ 90 beats/min

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    Respirations ≥ 20/min

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    WBC count ≥ 12,000/mm3 or <4000/mm3 or >10% immature neutrophils

 X
Sepsis SIRS with a presumed or confirmed infectious process
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    Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection

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    Suspected or documented infection and

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    Acute increase of ≥2 SOFA score points (proxy for organ dysfunction)

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    Hospital mortality > 10%
Severe Sepsis Sepsis with more than one sign of organ failure:
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    Cardiovascular (refractory hypotension)

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    Renal

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    Respiratory

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    Hepatic

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    Hematologic

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    CNS

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    Unexplained metabolic acidosis

 X
Septic Shock Sepsis-induced hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation, with perfusion abnormalities Sepsis with persistent hypotension:
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    Requiring vasopressors to maintain MAP ≥ 65 mmHg

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    Serum lactate level ≥ 2 mmol/L (18 mg/dL) despite adequate fluid resuscitation.

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    Hospital mortality > 40%