The post-mortem use of inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein and procalcitonin – advantageous or impeding?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, which can result in multi-organ failure and death due to a combination of tissue hypoperfusion, impairment of the coagulation system and oxidative stress. There is no validated gold standard for the diagnosis of sepsis, either antemortem or post-mortem. To fill the gap, other ancillary tests are performed, which may include blood cultures, immunohistochemical markers and biomarkers.