Global trends and emerging frontiers in neutrophil extracellular trap-related sepsis research: a bibliometric analysis

Background Sepsis remains a major challenge in critical care medicine, and NETs have emerged as important regulators linking inflammation, immunity, coagulation, and tissue injury. However, the global development trajectory and research frontiers of NET-related sepsis studies remain unclear. Methods Publications related to NET-related sepsis research from 2004 to September 19, 2026, were independently retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus databases. After database-specific screening, 263 WoSCC records and 499 Scopus records were retained for separate analyses using VOSviewer and CiteSpace to evaluate publication trends, collaboration networks, knowledge structures, thematic evolution, and emerging research attention. Results The WoSCC and Scopus analytical datasets contained 263 and 499 records, respectively. WoSCC analysis showed that China had the highest publication output, whereas the United States had the highest citation impact and collaboration strength among the listed countries. Cleaned author-keyword analysis highlighted sepsis, neutrophil extracellular traps, NETosis, inflammation, neutrophil, platelet, acute lung injury, and septic shock. Cross-database comparison showed a high correlation in complete-year publication trends (Spearman’s ρ = 0.986) and partial overlap in high-frequency author keywords. Conclusion Independent database analyses indicate sustained growth and a progressively interconnected knowledge structure in NET-related sepsis research. The results describe publication, collaboration, citation, and thematic attention patterns; they do not establish biomarker performance or therapeutic efficacy. Future studies may benefit from standardized NET measurement and reporting, multicenter validation of NET-related biomarkers and predictive models, and appropriately designed clinical investigations.