POC SPLA2-IIA as a Biomarker for Sepsis and Septic Shock

Septic shock is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) can progress over hours to days to severe sepsis and septic shock. Currently, lactate levels are used to guide resuscitative efforts and have been shown to be a predictor of mortality independent of vital sign abnormalities (1). However, their use seems to be limited to trending in a given patient, and not for prognostic value of a single level (2). This is because there is significant overlap in lactate levels of individuals who progress to death and multisystem organ failure as compared to those who do not (2). Blood cultures are also extensively used to detect blood stream infection (BSI), but these are time consuming and are not immediately useful to clinicians caring for sick patients. A biomarker that adequately distinguishes between patients at high risk for progression to severe sepsis/shock/death and those who will not would be helpful in the appropriate initiation of aggressive treatment and appropriate disposition of patients in clinical care. Previously, the investigators demonstrated that sPLA2-IIA detected by ELISA assay had a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 91% in detecting sepsis (3). Zeus Pharmaceuticals has developed a bedside point-of-care test measuring sPLA2-IIA in real time. The investigators propose to study this assay in terms of its discriminatory value in distinguishing between SIRS from non-infectious causes, sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock in a cohort of patients presenting to the emergency department at Anderson and Bethlehem campuses. The investigators propose to better define the threshold level for this marker assay as well as seek to establish its utility in a clinical population. The investigators will take samples of blood from emergency department patients presenting who meet SIRS criteria or have a positive q-SOFA screen. The investigators will take subsequent samples of blood when lactate levels are redrawn