February, 2003
© 2000, 2001, 2003 Scott S. Emerson, M.D., Ph.D.
Background
Critically ill patients often get overwhelming
bacterial infection (sepsis), after which mortality is
high
Gram negative sepsis often characterized by production
of endotoxin, which is thought to be the cause of much of the ill
effects of gram negative sepsis
Hypothesize that administering antibody to endotoxin
may decrease morbidity and mortality