Table 1 Characteristics of Patients on ICU Admission

Male: female

31:12

Age (years)

63.5 ± 13.3

Medical/surgical

20/23

APACHE^a II

29.4 ± 8.4

SAPS^bII

71.5 ± 18.4

SOFA^c

13.7 ± 3.7

Number of failing organs

2.2 ± 0.9

Laboratory data on ICU admission

pH

7.36 ± 0.12

Base excess (mmol/L)

−5.6 ± 6.8

Blood lactate level (mg/dL)

72.2 ± 40.4

Blood IL-6 level (pg/mL) mean ± SD

132,300 ± 243,700

Median (25,75% tile)

23,480 (5,283, 101,750)

Blood urea nitrogen (mg/dL)

40.6 ± 30.0

Creatinine (mg/dL)

2.3 ± 1.3

Urinary output (mL/h)

36 ± 41

CRP^d (mg/dL)

17.5 ± 11.1

Comorbidity

History of cancer, n (%)

12 (27.9)

Diabetes mellitus, n (%)

9 (20.9)

Liver cirrhosis, n (%)

5 (11.6)

Immunosuppressive drug use, n (%)

5 (11.6)

Main foci of infection

Peritoneal cavity, n (%)

12 (27.9)

Intestine, n (%)

7 (16.3)

Lung, n (%)

7 (16.3)

Liver/gall bladder/bile duct, n (%)

7 (16.3)

Kidney/urinary tract, n (%)

5 (11.6)

Oral cavity/pharynx/neck, n (%)

2 (4.7)

Unknown, n (%)

3 (7.0)

Blood culture-positive cases, n (%)

28 (65.1)

Gram-negative

21

Gram-positive

12

Fungus

2

Mixed

7

Therapy to infection

Adequate initial antimicrobial coverage, n (%)

41 (95.3)

Source control, n (%)

16 (37.2)

Surgical operation, n (%)

12 (27.9)

Diffuse peritonitis, n (%)

9 (20.9)

Emphysematous pyelonephritis, n (%)

2 (4.7)

Thoracic empyema, n (%)

1 (2.3)

Percutaneous drainage, n (%)

4 (9.3)

Cholangitis/cholecystitis, n (%)

4 (9.3)