Stopping Sepsis With a Factor From Cord Blood

A factor found in umbilical cord blood could become the basis for a new therapy to fight sepsis, a leading cause of death in hospitals, explains Christian Con Yost, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah. He is corresponding author on a study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, showing that when given to mice, the newly discovered factor countered signs of sepsis, such as fever, fluctuations in respiratory rate, and death. Yost explains the research and next steps.