Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a multifactorial syndrome of diffuse cerebral dysfunction, late form with often irreversible brain damage, associated with sepsis and high mortality, but without direct brain infection. Early diagnosis of SAE can help identify those patients require enhanced follow-up and immediate intervention, but there are no clear laboratory criteria for SAE. None of the previously known biomarkers of brain damage or encephalopathy or infection (S100b, NSE, CRP, PCT, MIR, ILs, TNF-a, etc) can be called specific for SAE. Taking into account the data published in the literature on the potential role of the microbiota in SAE and based on the results of their own research, the authors propose to join the study of a promising biomarker - HPhAA - a microbial metabolite of the aromatic amino acid tyrosine.

Natalia V. Beloborodova was educated at the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, and a specialization in Clinical Microbiology. She has been a Professor since 1996. Recently she is the Head of the Laboratory of metabolism in critical state. She is the author of more than 550 scientific publications, including articles, book chapters, monographs, patents, etc. In 2021, she was awarded the title of Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation.