Abstract
Objectives:
Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are vulnerable to nosocomial infections and subsequent morbidity; including infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus: 85% of nosocomial S. aureus infections are caused by capsular polysaccharide (CPS) types 5 and 8. Altastaphâ„¢ is a polyclonal investigational human immunoglobulin G (IgG) with high levels of opsonizing S. aureus CPS types 5 and 8 IgG.
Methods:
A Phase 2 clinical trial to assess the safety and kinetics of Altastaph in VLBW infants. Neonates in this multicenter study were randomized to receive two identical 20?ml/kg i.v. infusions of either 0.45% NaCl placebo or 1000?mg Altastaph/kg. Each infant was followed for 28 days after the second infusion or until discharge. Serum S. aureus CPS types 5 and 8 IgG levels were measured preinfusion and at various times after each infusion.
Results:
Of 206 neonates, 158 received both infusions. Adverse events were similar in the two treatment groups. Six subjects (3% in each group) discontinued owing to an adverse event. Geometric mean anti-type 5 IgG levels were 402 and 642?mcg/ml 1 day following infusion of the first (day 0) and Second (day 14) doses, respectively, in neonates ⩽1000?g and slightly higher in neonates 1001 to 1500?g. Trough levels before second infusion were 188?mcg/ml. Type 8 IgG levels were similar. Geometric mean IgG levels among placebo recipients were consistently <2 and <5?mcg/ml for types 5 and 8 in both weight groups. Three episodes of S. aureus bacteremia occurred in each arm.
Conclusions:
Infusion of Altastaph in VLBW neonates resulted in high levels of specific S. aureus types 5 and 8 CPS IgG. The administration of this anti-staphylococcal hyperimmune globulin was well tolerated in this population.
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Abbreviations
- CoNS:
-
coagulase negative staphylococci
- CPS:
-
capsular polysaccharide
- ELBW:
-
extremely low birth weight
- GM:
-
geometric mean
- IgG:
-
immunoglobulin
- IVIG:
-
intravenous immune globulin
- VLBW:
-
very low birth weight
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Acknowledgements
This research was funded by NABI Biopharmaceuticals, Rockville Maryland. Dr Benjamin received support from 1U10-HD45962-02 and HD044799-01.
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Appendix A
Appendix A
S. aureus prevention investigators Table A1
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Benjamin, D., Schelonka, R., White, R. et al. A blinded, randomized, multicenter study of an intravenous Staphylococcus aureus immune globulin. J Perinatol 26, 290–295 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211496
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211496
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