Sepsis. Composite coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of sepsis blood clotting. When a strain of harmful bacteria gets into the bloodstream, the resulting infection is called bacterial sepsis, or bacteraemia (commonly known as blood poisoning). As sepsis worsens, vital organs, such as the brain, heart and kidneys, donIllustrationt get as much blood as they should. The resulting small clots or burst blood vessels may damage or destroy tissues. Septic patients with severe forms of DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) may present with manifest thromboembolic disease or clinically less apparent microvascular fibrin deposition (seen here). When there is a high amount of toxins produced by bacteria in the blood, a septic shock may occur. Septic shock is a highly dangerous condition in which body tissues are damaged and may lead to death. Magnification: X5000 when printed at 10cm wide.