Francisella tularensis Infection of Mice as a Model of Sepsis.

Sepsis results from the dysregulated immune response to infection. While the stimulator and progression of the septic response is poorly understood, the systemic production of a storm of cytokines is common in all etiologies of sepsis. While the complexity of this uncontrolled cascade is difficult to replicate using single molecule agonist, for example, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), several whole organism models can stimulate this cytokine storm.

Obesity Exacerbates the Cytokine Storm Elicited by Infection of Females and Is Associated with Increased Mortality.

Infection with , the causative agent of the human disease tularemia, results in the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines, termed the cytokine storm. Excess metabolic byproducts of obesity accumulate in obese individuals and activate the same inflammatory signaling pathways as infection. In addition, elevated levels of leptin in obese individuals also increase inflammation.