Sepsis

Sepsis and septic shock are major medical challenges of the 21st century, especially with regards to the aging population and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Sepsis continues to show a steadily growing incidence and is a leading cause of in-hospital mortality in developed countries. It is estimated that sepsis affects more than 30 million people worldwide every year, potentially leading to 6 million deaths. Sepsis is responsible for 30-50% of all deaths in hospitals. Financial costs associated with sepsis are enormous; they mount to 20 billion USD/year in USA and 8 billion Euros/year in Europe, thus representing 5% of total health care costs in developed world. In 2017, sepsis has been recognized as a global health priority by World Health Organization. Despite huge clinical impact, pathophysiological mechanisms of sepsis remain only poorly understood. There is a critical need to improve our understanding of underlying processes and to develop innovative and efficacious therapies for the treatment of this deadly disease. Within this research topic, pathophysiology of sepsis is addressed in large animal models on various levels of biological complexity, from entire organism responses to cellular, subcellular and molecular processes. Based on better understanding of pathophysiology of sepsis, novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches are developed and tested. The global spread of antibiotic resistance contributes to the severity of the disease and limits therapeutic options. Therefore, molecular epidemiology of antibiotic resistance, early diagnosis of antibiotic susceptibility and novel methods for overcoming the antibiotic resistance represent another major line of research.

Selected outputs

• Kohoutova M, Horak J, Jarkovska D, Martinkova V, Tegl V, Nalos L, Vistejnova L, Benes J, Sviglerova J, Kuncova J, Matejovic M, Stengl M. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Attenuates Multiple Organ Dysfunction in Resuscitated Porcine Progressive Sepsis. Crit Care Med 2019 (Epub ahead of print)

• Chvojka J, Martinkova V, Benes J, Valesova L, Danihel V, Nalos L, Matejovic M. Mechanical Circulatory Support in Refractory Vasodilatory Septic Shock: A Randomized Controlled Porcine Study. Shock 2019 (Epub ahead of print)

• Paskova V, Medvecky M, Skalova A, Chudejova K, Bitar I, Jakubu V, Bergerova T, Zemlickova H, Papagiannitsis CC, Hrabak J. Characterization of NDM-Encoding Plasmids From Enterobacteriaceae Recovered From Czech Hospitals. Front Microbiol. 2018; 9:1549.

• Kukla R, Chudejova K, Papagiannitsis CC, Medvecky M, Habalova K, Hobzova L, Bolehovska R, Pliskova L, Hrabak J, Zemlickova H. Characterization of KPC-Encoding Plasmids from Enterobacteriaceae Isolated in a Czech Hospital. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2018; 62(3). pii: e02152-17.

• Skalova A, Chudejova K, Rotova V, Medvecky M, Studentova V, Chudackova E, Lavicka P, Bergerova T, Jakubu V, Zemlickova H, Papagiannitsis CC, Hrabak J. Molecular Characterization of OXA-48-Like-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in the Czech Republic and Evidence for Horizontal Transfer of pOXA-48-Like Plasmids. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2017; 61(2). pii: e01889-16.

• Jarkovska D, Markova M, Horak J, Nalos L, Benes J, Al-Obeidallah M, Tuma Z, Sviglerova J, Kuncova J, Matejovic M, Stengl M. Cellular Mechanisms of Myocardial Depression in Porcine Septic Shock. Front Physiol 2018; 9:726

• Jarkovska D, Valesova L, Chvojka J, Benes J, Danihel V, Sviglerova J, Nalos L, Matejovic M, Stengl M. Heart-rate variability depression in porcine peritonitis-induced sepsis without organ failure. Exp Biol Med 2017; 242:1005-1012

• Matejovic M, Valesova L, Benes J, Sykora R, Hrstka R, Chvojka J. Molecular differences in susceptibility of the kidney to sepsis-induced kidney injury. BMC Nephrol 2017; 18:183

• Jarkovska D, Valesova L, Chvojka J, Benes J, Sviglerova J, Florova B, Nalos L, Matejovic M, Stengl M. Heart Rate Variability in Porcine Progressive Peritonitis-Induced Sepsis. Front Physiol 2016; 6:412

• Matejovic M, Ince C, Chawla LS, Blantz R, Molitoris BA, Rosner MH, Okusa MD, Kellum JA, Ronco C; ADQI XIII Work Group. Renal Hemodynamics in AKI: In Search of New Treatment Targets. J Am Soc Nephrol 2016; 27:49-58