Simple change in sepsis treatment could save thousands of lives

January 6, 2026
illustration of a map of Africa drawn with it's country borders over a backdrop of bacteria

After almost two decades of collaboration between researchers at UVA and East African institutions, a new discovery may change sepsis treatment in the region for HIV patients. (Illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications)

A University of Virginia-led team of researchers has made a discovery that may change sepsis treatment for patients in Africa. 

Over the course of five years, the researchers studied patients with HIV-related sepsis in eastern Africa, discovering that the most common cause of sepsis was tuberculosis and that treating it immediately, even before a tuberculosis diagnosis was made, significantly improved survival rates. 

Dr. Scott Heysell

In addition to leading the Center for Global Health Equity, Dr. Scott Heysell does clinical work within the Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases. (Contributed photo)

Sepsis, or critical illness due to infection, is the leading global cause of death, responsible for an estimated one-fifth of deaths worldwide.

“We designed a trial with colleagues in Tanzania and Uganda to look specifically at people living with HIV, who suffer higher rates of sepsis and are more likely to die when they contract it,” said Dr. Scott Heysell, director of the UVA Center for Global Health Equity and the co-lead investigator of the study. “Over half of the people enrolled in this trial were ultimately found to have tuberculosis and, if they immediately received tuberculosis treatment, they were significantly more likely to survive.”

Funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, the research, dubbed the “ATLAS study,” was done by a team of nearly 30 doctors, nurses, pharmacists, study coordinators and statisticians, including leading HIV and tuberculosis physician-scientists, Dr. Stellah Mpagama from Kibong’oto Infectious Diseases Hospital in Tanzania, and Dr. Conrad Muzoora, from the Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda.

“The trial is the culmination of almost 20 years of collaborative work with colleagues in Uganda and Tanzania to better understand, diagnose and manage sepsis,” said co-lead investigator Dr. Christopher Moore, professor of medicine and global health equity at the UVA School of Medicine. “The results of ATLAS have broad and significant implications for the treatment of sepsis in Africa, an all too common and deadly illness, which sadly is likely to become even more common with the advent of global public health funding cuts.”

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It is often difficult to diagnose tuberculosis, so the team had to use newer and more exhaustive testing, according to Heysell.

“It is a tragedy to be on the front lines and witness the excessive mortality and morbidity from sepsis and tuberculosis, particularly among people with HIV,” said Dr. Tania Thomas, a contributing researcher and associate professor of infectious diseases and international health at UVA. “These are treatable conditions, but time is rarely on our side. Until we have more accurate rapid diagnostic tests for tuberculosis, we are pleased to demonstrate that the strategy of immediate tuberculosis treatment can improve survival.”

The team has received additional NIH funding this year to continue its work through a new trial at four hospitals in Tanzania and Uganda to test whether the use of hydrocortisone to reduce inflammation and improve blood pressure, and/or an immediate treatment for tuberculosis and other bacterial pathogens, will improve 28-day mortality from HIV-related sepsis.

ATLAS investigators pose for a group photo in Uganda

The ATLAS investigators meet in Uganda. (Contributed photos)

“In programmatic settings, tuberculosis treatment was mostly the same as for people without HIV, even though their health needs are more complex,” said Dr. Stellah Mpagama from Kibong’oto Infectious Diseases Hospital. “Many of these patients have multiple infections at the same time, which makes their care more challenging.”

The research is part of Â鶹ĆĆ˝â°ć Center for Global Health Equity’s effort to establish meaningful, two-sided research partnerships in Eastern Africa, according to Heysell, who is working to increase educational and research opportunities outside of the U.S. for UVA students. This includes coordinating clinical electives for medical students and other health science students in hospitals and clinics abroad.

To that end, emergency medicine professor Dr. Amita Sudhir has been promoted to inaugural director for global health training within the center. Her goal will be to increase abroad opportunities for medical students within existing partnering organizations.

Media Contacts

Dr. Christopher Moore

Guerrant Global Health Equity Professor University of Virginia Department of Medicine

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