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I am thinking this figure

enter image description here

It suggests me that there has to be Sepsis that infection can lead to SIRS.

I am thinking particularly the pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans where

  • respiratory tract $\to$ pulmonary infection $\to$
    • asymptomatic and nonspecific pulmonary signs in normal patients
    • progressive systemic disease in immunocompromised patients

and the last row.

Can SIRS occur without preceding or simultaneous Sepsis?

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According to the classification of sepsis, it is SIRS with a suspected or known source of infection. By definition therefore, sepsis without SIRS is not sepsis but SIRS can exist without sepsis. In all fairness though, SIRS can exist if you run for a while (elevated heart rate and respiratory rate by themselves qualify for a diagnosis of SIRS).

Sepsis is however not the same as a bacteraemia which may be caused even by brushing your teeth (although the bacteraemia in this case is transient).

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  • $\begingroup$ Very clear explanation with good examples! Thank you! $\endgroup$
    – Léo Léopold Hertz 준영
    Commented Apr 2, 2014 at 16:34

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