Antiendotoxin Monoclonal Antibodies for Gram-Negative Sepsis

Concerning efficacy, the E5 trial prospectively defined patient groups for analysis in terms of shock, while the HA-1A trial prospectively defined patients for analysis in terms of gram-negative bacteremia. In the E5 trial, 242 patients received active drug; of these patients, 164 had documented gram-negative sepsis, and 74 of these also had no refractory shock. These 74 patients (31% of 242) benefited. Seventy-four patients with gram-negative sepsis and no refractory shock (45% of 164) may or may not represent "a minority of the total population of patients treated." In the HA-1A trial, 262 patients received active drug. However, the number of treated patients who had gram-negative infection is not stated in the HA-1A article, but of a total of 200 bacteremic patients, 105 received active drug. One hundred five patients with documented gram-negative bacteremia (40% of 262) may or may not represent "a minority of the total population of patients treated." (DBO)