Correlating MicroRNA Changes With Sepsis Outcomes

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To examine whether the cellular and viral micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA) changes in plasma and peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PMNCs) correlate with the diagnosis and outcome of sepsis. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To distinguish systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) without infection from sepsis and septic shock. OUTLINE: Patients are assigned to 1 of 2 groups. GROUP A: Patients undergo blood specimen collection at baseline (before surgery), the day after surgery, either the day of hospital discharge or the day of sepsis diagnosis, and 6 days after the baseline blood draw if still hospitalized. GROUP B: Patients undergo blood specimen collection at baseline (day of sepsis diagnosis), the day after baseline, and on day 7 from baseline if still hospitalized.