Point of care sepsis diagnosis: Exploring microfluidic techniques for sample preparation, biomarker isolation, and detection

According to the third international consensus definition (sepsis-3), sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction resulting from an uncontrolled host response to infection. Sepsis remains a leading cause of global mortality, largely due to the difficulty of achieving a timely diagnosis. The conventional diagnostic approaches for sepsis often face limitations in speed, portability, sensitivity, and specificity, which can lead to delayed or missed diagnoses. In response, microfluidic devices have emerged as powerful tools for point-of-care precise sample handling and preparation, enabling efficient isolation and detection of sepsis-causing bacteria and biomarkers. Fabrication techniques of these microfluidic devices, ranging from photolithography to xurography, have significantly advanced and paved the way for complex designs and improved functionality. Microfluidic platforms offer various benefits in sepsis diagnosis and prognosis. They facilitate rapid and automated sample processing, enhancing turnaround times and reducing the risk of contamination. Moreover, the integration of microfluidic systems with advanced detection methods enables the simultaneous analysis of multiple biomarkers, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy and prognostic capabilities. This review explores the evolution of sepsis diagnosis from traditional lab based methods to the use of microfluidic technology that can facilitate point of care diagnostics and discusses emerging trends in this field.