The main observation of the present study was that plasma MMP-8 and MMP-8/TIMP-1 molar ratio determined at an early stage (day 3 and 5 after positive blood-cultures) were significantly higher in SAB patients with a more severe disease i.e. severe sepsis, ICU treatment need and patients with a deep infection focus as compared to patients without these complications. Here, MMP8 is linked to Sepsis.