this textbook is written at the dawn of a new era in the management of sepsis. recent achievements in the clinical management of septic shock are the culmination of decades of basic and applied research by innovative researchers and clinical investigators worldwide. the contributing authors to this book have spearheaded much of this research and the editors have endeavored to create a textbook that is comprehensive in nature while maintaining a specific focus upon the multitude of work that constitutes the spectrum of sepsis research including: pathophysiology; monitoring systems; general support; microbial aspects; complications; and anti-sepsis therapies.