Abstract
We studied anthrax immune globulin intravenous (AIG-IV) use from a 2009-2010 outbreak of Bacillus anthracis soft tissue infection in injection drug users in Scotland, UK, and we compared findings from 15 AIG-IV recipients with findings from 28 nonrecipients. Death rates did not differ significantly between recipients and nonrecipients (33% vs. 21%). However, whereas only 8 (27%) of 30 patients at low risk for death (admission sequential organ failure assessment score of 0-5) received AIG-IV, 7 (54%) of the 13 patients at high risk for death (sequential organ failure assessment score of 6-11) received treatment. AIG-IV recipients had surgery more often and, among survivors, had longer hospital stays than did nonrecipients. AIG-IV recipients were sicker than nonrecipients. This difference and the small number of higher risk patients confound assessment of AIG-IV effectiveness in this outbreak.
Highlights
This activity has been planned and implemented through the joint providership of Medscape, LLC and Emerging Infectious Diseases
Anthrax immune globulin intravenous (AIG-IV; current trade name Anthrasil, manufactured by Emergent BioSolutions Inc., Rockville, MD, USA) is one of the few antitoxin agents approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and included in the Strategic National Stockpile (10)
anthrax immune globulin intravenous (AIG-IV) Availability, Distribution, and Administration During the outbreak, 15 patients received AIG-IV under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emergency investigational new drug application (E-IND), and all treatments were from the same AIG-IV batch (Cangene Corp., Winnipeg, MB, Canada)
Summary
This activity has been planned and implemented through the joint providership of Medscape, LLC and Emerging Infectious Diseases. LLC designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. All other clinicians completing this activity will be issued a certificate of participation. To participate in this journal CME activity: (1) review the learning objectives and author disclosures; (2) study the education content; (3) take the post-test with a 75% minimum passing score and complete the evaluation at http://www.medscape.org/journal/eid; and (4) view/print certificate. Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to: 1. Assess outcomes of patients treated with AIG-IV in the current study 4.
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