Treatment of Gram-Negative Bacteremia and Septic Shock with HA-1A Human Monoclonal Antibody against Endotoxin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Septicemia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. There are approximately 400,000 cases each year in the United States, and the incidence continues to increase. 1 Gram-negative bacteremia occurs in about 30 percent of patients with septicemia. 2 Despite the use of potent antibiotics and intensive supportive care, the mortality among patients with sepsis and gram-negative bacteremia remains high. It varies from 20 to 60 percent, depending on the specific population. 2 3 4 Bacteremia and septic shock are associated with the release of endotoxin into the circulation. 5 , 6 Endotoxin is the lipopolysaccharide component of the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria that . . .