Koutroulis Lab

Our Research

Sepsis: Early intervention is key

Sepsis is responsible for almost 20% of deaths worldwide. Current studies suggest that pediatric sepsis abnormalities and multi-organ dysfunction could be prevented with timely and individualized care. Despite efforts to prevent the effects of the septic process on several organs, many therapies have not proven effective, leaving us with only symptomatic treatment options. There is a need to develop protocols that target the primary pathophysiological changes in sepsis to improve clinical outcomes and decrease mortality. The current clinical criteria used to diagnose pediatric sepsis fail to account for the heterogeneity of the condition and lack precision when applied in clinical practice or research. This also leads to the overuse of antibiotics and subsequent antimicrobial resistance.

Our team has identified an innovative biomarker and AI-based diagnostic tool and extracellular vesicle (EV)-based treatments that target molecular changes in organs such as the brain (septic encephalopathy). This approach allows for a quicker and more precise recognition and therapeutic intervention for this life-threatening condition.