A letter to the editor in response to the article "German Study Group Competence Network Sepsis (SepNet). Effect of empirical treatment with moxifloxacin and meropenem vs meropenem on sepsis-related organ dysfunction in patients with severe sepsis: a randomized trial" by F.M. Brunkhorst, M. Oppert, G. Marx and colleague in a previous issue of the journal and a response by the authors are presented.