Research

The effects of IgM-enriched immunoglobulin preparations in patients with severe sepsis [ISRCTN28863830]

Simru Tugrul^1*, Perihan Ergin Ozcan¹, Ozkan Akinci¹, Yalcin Seyhun², Atahan Cagatay³, Nahit Cakar⁴ and Figen Esen⁴

• * Corresponding author: Simru Tugrul mtugrul@isbank.net.tr

Author Affiliations

¹ Registrar, Anesthesiology Department, Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Turkey

² Registrar, Medical Biology Department, Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Turkey

³ Registrar, Clinical Bacteriology and Infectious Diseases Department, Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Turkey

⁴ Consultant, Anesthesiology Department, Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Turkey

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Critical Care 2002, 6:357-362 doi:10.1186/cc1523

Published: 14 May 2002

Abstract

Introduction

In this prospective, randomized controlled study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of IgM-enriched immunoglobulin treatment on progression of organ failure and septic shock in patients with severe sepsis.

Materials and methods

Forty-two patients with severe sepsis were enrolled in the study. Patients in the study group (n = 21) received an intravenous immunoglobulin preparation (Pentaglobin^®) in addition to standard therapy. Pentaglobin^® therapy was commenced on the day of diagnosis of severe sepsis: 5 ml/kg per day Pentaglobin^® (38 g/l IgG, 6 g/l IgM, and 6 g/l IgA) was infused over 6 hours and repeated for 3 consecutive days. Patients in the control group (n = 18) received standard sepsis therapy, but no immunoglobulin administration. Blood samples for procalcitonin (PCT) measurements were taken daily for 8 days. Severity of critical illness and development of organ failure were assessed by obtaining daily acute physiological and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores.

Results and discussion

Procalcitonin levels showed a statistically significant decrease in the Pentaglobin^® group (P < 0.001); however, an improvement in SOFA scores could not be demonstrated. Procalcitonin levels and SOFA scores did not change significantly in the control group. Septic shock incidence (38% versus 57%) and 28-day mortality rate (23.8% versus 33.3%) were found to be similar between the Pentaglobin^® and control groups. The evaluation of serial APACHE II scores did not demonstrate a difference between Pentaglobin^® and control groups either.

Conclusion

Present data could not demonstrate any beneficial effects of polyclonal immunoglobulin preparation Pentaglobin^® on organ morbidity, septic shock incidence and mortality rate in patients with severe sepsis.