Severe sepsis: appropriate antibiotic therapy depends upon correct diagnosis

Severe sepsis is the major cause of death in critically ill patients, while appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy might improve clinical outcome in patients with severe sepsis. Differential diagnosis of non-infectious inflammation and sepsis requires integration of clinical manifestation, laboratory investigation including microbiologic results, and biomarkers. Choice of empirical antibiotics should be based on characteristics of infection, including focus of infection. Source control is also crucial in the treatment of severe sepsis. Key words: Severe sepsis; Empirical antibiotic therapy