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[Preventive use of Pentaglobin in intensive care treatment of trauma patients]
1Institut für Anästhesiologie, Universität Bonn.
Insights
Intravenous IgM preparation (Pentaglobin) reduced infection indicators in intensive care patients. This prophylactic treatment showed fewer signs of infection and lower fever incidence in the treated group.
Area of Science:
- Intensive Care Medicine
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Nosocomial infections pose a significant risk to post-traumatic intensive care patients.
- Early prophylactic interventions are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prophylactic effect of an intravenous IgM preparation (Pentaglobin) against nosocomial infections.
- To evaluate the impact of Pentaglobin on infection indicators and clinical course in post-traumatic intensive care patients.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 50 post-traumatic intensive care patients with moderate lesions (Injury Severity Score criteria).
- Patients were divided into a prophylaxis group receiving 10 g of Pentaglobin daily on days 3, 4, and 5, and a control group receiving 12.5 g of human albumin.
- Infection pointers, including febrile temperatures, were monitored throughout the clinical course.
Main Results:
- The Pentaglobin prophylaxis group exhibited significantly fewer infection pointers compared to the control group.
- A notable reduction in the incidence and magnitude of febrile temperatures was observed between days 4 and 8 in the prophylaxis group.
- No significant difference was found between the groups regarding the definitive treatment outcome.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous IgM preparation (Pentaglobin) demonstrates a prophylactic effect against nosocomial infections in post-traumatic intensive care patients.
- Pentaglobin may be particularly beneficial for high-risk patients, such as those undergoing reintervention surgery or experiencing complications.
- Further investigation is warranted to confirm the prophylactic benefits in specific high-risk patient subgroups.
Abstract:
Basing on 50 posttraumatic intensive-care patients with medium grade lesions (ISS criteria), the prophylactic effect of an intravenously applicable IgM preparation (Pentaglobin) against nosocomial infections was investigated. The prophylaxis group received on the 3rd, 4th and 5th day a daily dose of 10 g each. At the same times the controls were given 12.5 g human albumin each. Whereas no difference was seen between both groups regarding the definitive outcome of the treatment, the prophylaxis group clearly showed fewer infection pointers during the clinical course. In particular, the incidence and magnitude of febrile temperatures were significantly lower between the 4th and 8th days of treatment. Our results indicate, however, that the prophylactic use those patients who are at particularly high infection exposure risk, e.g. through reintervention surgery, haemorrhage complications or extensive diagnostic interventions.