Prevention of gram-negative shock and death in surgical patients by antibody to endotoxin core glycolipid.

The prophylactic effect of antibody to endotoxin core glycolipid was studied in surgical patients at high risk of gram-negative infection. At randomisation (on admission to intensive care unit), every 5 days thereafter, and at onset of septic shock, patients received plasma taken from donors before (control) or after immunisation with Escherichia coli J5, a mutant with only core determinants in its endotoxin. Gram-negative shock occurred in 15 of 136 controls and 6 of 126 J5 antibody recipients and related deaths in 9 of 136 and 2 of 126, respectively.

Variability of ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics in hospitalized patients with severe infections.

The pharmacokinetic behavior of ceftriaxone was studied in 60 patients with severe community- or hospital-acquired infections. Serum concentrations one to three hours after a 30-minute intravenous infusion appeared to be dose related. The mean two-hour levels were 110, 138, and 146 mg/liter, and trough values averaged 54.