Abstract

Sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, characterized by a dysregulated immune response to infection, leading to organ dysfunction and failure. Despite advances in critical care and antimicrobial therapies, timely diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis remain challenging. Biomarkers have emerged as valuable tools for early detection, risk stratification, and monitoring treatment response in sepsis patients. This review explores the most clinically relevant sepsis biomarkers, their mechanisms, diagnostic performance, and potential future applications. It highlights the strengths and limitations of commonly used biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and lactate, as well as emerging biomarkers like presepsin, cytokines, and metabolomics. Additionally, the review discusses the future perspectives of multi-biomarker panels and the integration of biomarkers with artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance precision in sepsis management