Which type of shock is marked by systemic vasodilation due to an overwhelming infection?

Septic shock is characterized by a significant drop in blood pressure and systemic vasodilation due to a severe infection. In response to infection, the body releases various inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, which can lead to the dilation of blood vessels. This vasodilation results in reduced systemic vascular resistance, ultimately leading to inadequate blood flow to organs and tissues. The combination of infection and the body's inflammatory response results in a state where the circulatory system cannot maintain adequate blood pressure, which is a hallmark of septic shock.

In this context, other types of shock do not share the same underlying cause of systemic vasodilation due to infection. Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart fails to pump effectively, neurogenic shock results from spinal cord injury leading to loss of sympathetic tone, and anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction that causes a sudden drop in blood pressure. While anaphylactic shock involves vasodilation, it is specifically related to allergic reactions and not primarily due to an infection. Thus, septic shock distinctly highlights the impact of overwhelming infection leading to systemic vascular changes.