Beneficial effects of PMX-DHP on vasopressor-resistant invasive meningococcal disease: a case report

Yuki Hattori1, Nobutaka Chiba1, Shingo Ihara1

  • 1Division of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Acute Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Abstract

Insights

Polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) effectively reduced inflammatory cytokines and vasopressor dependence in a patient with severe invasive meningococcal disease and septic shock. Early and prolonged PMX-DHP may be beneficial.

Area of Science:

  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Invasive meningococcal disease can cause excessive inflammatory cytokine release due to bacterial endotoxins, leading to severe complications like septic shock.
  • The efficacy of polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) in managing these inflammatory responses remains unclear.
  • Septic shock in invasive meningococcal disease presents with circulatory, respiratory, and renal failure, often unresponsive to standard treatments.

Related Concept Videos

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.