Lack of new antiinfective agents: Passing into the pre-antibiotic age?

Figure 2 Mechanisms of lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine (mediator) secretion with subsequent induction of inflammation and sepsis. Without therapeutical intervention, the interaction of the toxins leads to cell activation with subsequent release of inflammation-inducing compounds eventually resulting in sepsis. Intervention strategies may be performed by e.g., AMP and LPS/LP-neutralizers. LPS: Lipopolysaccharide; IL: Interleukin; TNF: Tumor necrosis factor.