Contributors. Introduction; J.L. Vincent, et al. Generalities. 1. Sepsis: The magnitude of the problem; J.L. Vincent. 2. Diagnosis and source of sepsis: The utility of clinical findings; K. Cruz, R.P. Dellinger. 3. Organ failure; R. Moreno, et al. 4. Markers of sepsis; H. Redl, et al. 5. Genetic predisposition; F. Stuber. 6. Quantifying risk in sepsis: A review of illness severity and organ dysfunction scoring; R.S. Wax, et al. Pathophysiology. 7. The pathogenesis of Gram-negative sepsis; C. Papasian, D.C. Morrison. 8. The pathophysiology of Gram-positive shock; R.K. Beaton, J. Cohen. 9. Immunopathogenesis of Gram-negative shock; S.M. Opal, C.E. Huber. 10. Involvement of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in sepsis; J.M. Cavaillon, M. Adib-Conquy. 11. Pathophysiology of immunodepression in ICU patients; H.D. Volk, et al. 12. Pathophysiology of sepsis: the role of nitric oxide; S.J. Finney, T.W. Evans. 13. Apoptosis and the resolution of inflammation in sepsis; G.J. Bellingan. 14. Microvascular alterations in sepsis; A.W. Sielenkamper, et al. 15. Cytopathic hypoxia; M.P. Fink. Monitoring Systems. 16. Invasive hemodynamic monitoring; E. Huettemann, et al. 17. Value of SvO2 in sepsis; T. Boulain, J.L. Teboul. 18. Blood lactate concentrations in sepsis; J.A. Kruse. 19. Veno-arterial PCO2 gradient; V. Castelain, J.L. Teboul. 20. Gas tonometry; E. Silva,L.F. Poli de Figueiredo. General Support. 21. General hemodynamic support; S.M. Hollenberg. 22. Fluid administration; A.R. Webb. 23. Blood transfusion and sepsis; D. Neilipovitz, P.C. Hebert. 24. Catecholamine therapy; C. Martin, et al. 25. Regional effects of catecholamines; A. Meier-Hellmann. 26. Management of respiratory dysfunction in patients with severe sepsis; G.S. Martin, G.R. Bernard. 27. The role of nutritional support in sepsis; D.K. Heyland, et al. Microbial Aspects. 28. The sources of sepsis; C. Alberti, C. Brun-Buisson. 29. Catheter-related sepsis; J.F. Timsit. 30. Control of the source of sepsis; J.C. Marshall. 31. Empirical antibiotic therapy for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock; P.Y. Bochud, et al. 32. Candida infections in the intensive care unit; J.S. Solomkin, et al. 33. Why, when and how to isolate ICU patients; B. Rubinovitch, et al. Complications. 34. The lung in sepsis; P.M. Suter. 35. The heart in sepsis; B. Tavernier, A. Mebazaa. 36. The brain in sepsis; B. Philips, D. Bennett. 37. The gut in sepsis; B. Vallet. 38. The kidney in sepsis; M.G. Vervloet, et al. 39. The coagulation system in sepsis; C.E. Hack. Anti-Sepsis Therapies. 40. Should fever be treated in sepsis? B.A. Cunha. 41. Anti-cytokine therapy; E. Abraham. 42. Heat shock proteins and sepsis: A hot story;