Monoclonal Antibody to Lipid a Prevents the Development of Haemodynamic Disorders in Endotoxemia

Abstract

It has been recognized that gram-negative bacteriaemia is the major cause of hospital sepsis. The pathology of gram-negative sepsis is attributed to endotoxin. Endotoxins of all gram-negative bacteria have the same lipid moiety, so called lipid A, which is thought to be responsible for its pathogenic effects (6). Gram-negative endotoxaemia leads to an irreversible cardiovascular collapse (shock), acute pulmonary insufficiency, and disseminated vascular coagulation syndrome that can result in lethality up to 60–80%, despite antibiotic therapy (2). This prompted the search for immunotherapeutic approaches to the protection against gram-negative sepsis (1).