Advanced detection of sepsis

1. A method for the advanced detection of sepsis in a SIRS-positive subject, comprising the steps of:

(a) measuring at a plurality of time points, prior to laboratory confirmation of a clinically significant infection causative of sepsis, an amount of procalcitonin in fluid or tissue of the subject; and

(b) measuring at a plurality of time points, prior to laboratory confirmation of a clinically significant infection causative of sepsis, one or more clinical markers of the subject, to detect sepsis in the subject;

wherein an increase in the amount of procalcitonin from a previous amount over a 24 hour interval detects sepsis in the subject.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more clinical marker(s) are selected from the group consisting of respiratory rate, body temperature, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean artery pressure, white blood cell count, monocyte count, lymphocyte count, granulocyte count, neutrophil count, immature neutrophil to total neutrophil ratio, platelet count, serum creatinine concentration, urea concentration, lactate concentration, glucose concentration, base excess, pO 1 and HCO 3 − concentration.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein one clinical marker is measured.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein respiratory rate is measured.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein two or more clinical markers are measured.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein respiratory rate and body temperature are measured.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the advanced detection is at least 12 hours prior to the onset of sepsis.

8. The method of claim 2 , wherein a body temperature greater than 38° C. detects sepsis.

9. The method of claim 2 , wherein a body temperature less than 36° C. detects sepsis.

10. The method of claim 2 , wherein a respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minute detects sepsis.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the amount is measured by spectrometry, chromatography, immunoassay, electrophoresis or enzymatic assay.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid or tissue is blood, plasma, saliva, serum, sputum, urine, cells, cellular extract or tissue biopsy.