• R Talvik, A Liigant, H Tapfer, K Tamme, and T Metsvaht.
• Clinic of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Tartu University, Estonia.
• Intensive Care Med. 1998 Jan 1; 24 (1): 73-6.

ObjectiveHistological assessment of tissue damage and localisation of bacteria in autopsy materials of patients who died of septic shock.DesignProspective observational study.SettingGeneral and paediatric intensive care units, Tartu University Hospitals and Institute of Anatomy, Tartu University.Patients2 patients, who died of septic shock; 1 patient, who died of trauma.Measurements And ResultsTissue samples of different organs (lungs, heart, spleen, pancreas, liver, adrenals, kidneys and brain) were studied for the presence of bacteria and for the local inflammatory reaction with light microscopy. Bacteria (cocci) were found in the capillaries and tissues of both septic shock patients, but not in the control patient. Capillary dilation, oedema, stasis and cell death, but no polymorphonuclear infiltration, were seen around the foci of bacterial invasion.ConclusionsMassive penetration of bacteria into all tissues without significant polymorphonuclear infiltration may take place in severe septic shock.

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