Despite advancements in recognition and treatment, sepsis continues to be a frequently fatal condition comprising 750,000 cases in the US with an estimated death rate of 28-38%. Bacterial sepsis complications are the result of a cascade of inflammatory mediators secondary to the immune system's recognition and response to invading bacteria, intracellular constituents and metabolites. Bacterial recognition results in the widespread activation of biological mediators essential to the immune response such as cytokines, chemokines, prostaglandins and reactive oxygen species. These compounds result in the activation and up-regulation of neutrophils, monocytes at the cellular level as well as the physiological changes of sepsis such as hyperpyrexia, vasodilation, and tachycardia. Despite this generally coordinated response, it is likely that marked complications are related to the sequela of the uncontrolled immune response leading to significant injury to the lungs (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome), and other organs (acute renal failure, shock liver). In addition, there is question that impairment of the gut mucosal barrier may result in translocation of bacteria and perpetuate the multiple organ failure.