Authors'reply

摘要

Antonio Cascio and Chiara laria express concern that removing the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria might delay the evaluation and treatment of patients who are infected. We certainly do not intend to diminish the urgent need for rapid assessment of any sick patient with abnormal vital signs and leucocytosis. We agree that early identification and treatment of infection is the priority in managing septic patients, but the SIRS criteria are neither sensitive nor specific for infection.