Prevention of Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions by treatment with antibodies against tumor necrosis factor alpha

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1996
Authors:D. Fekade, Knox, K., Hussein, K., Melka, A., Lalloo, D. G., Coxon, R. E., Warrell, D. A.
Journal:New England Journal of Medicine
Volume:335
Issue:5
Pagination:311 - 315
Date Published:1996
Keywords:cachectin, disease, endotoxin, fever, monoclonal antibody, Relapsing Fever, sepsis, septic, shock, therapy, tnf
Abstract:

Background In patients with louse-borne relapsing fever (Borrelia recurrentis infection), antimicrobial treatment is often followed by sudden fever, rigors, and persistent hypotension (Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions) that are associated with increases in plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6, and interleukin-8. We attempted to determine whether sheep polyclonal Fab antibody fragments against TNF-alpha (anti-TNF- alpha Fab) could suppress the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 49 patients with proven louse-borne relapsing fever. Immediately before the intramuscular injection of penicillin, the patients received an intravenous infusion of either anti-TNF-alpha Fab or a control solution. Results Ten of the 20 patients given anti-TNF-alpha Fab had Jarisch- Herxheimer reactions with rigors, as compared with 26 of the 29 control patients (P = 0.006). The controls had significantly greater mean maximal increases in temperature (1.5 vs. 0.8 degrees C, P<0.001), pulse rate (31 vs, 13 per minute, P<0.001), and systolic blood pressure (25 vs. 15 mm Hg, P<0.003), as well as higher mean peak plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (50 vs. 17 mu g per liter) and interleukin-8 (2000 vs. 205 ng per liter) (P<0.001 for both comparisons). Levels of TNF-alpha were undetectable after treatment with anti-TNF-alpha Fab. Conclusions Pretreatment with sheep anti-TNF-alpha Fab suppresses Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions that occur after penicillin treatment for louse-borne relapsing fever, reduces the associated increases in plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8, and may be useful in other forms of sepsis. (C) 1996, Massachusetts Medical Society.

URL:https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJM199608013350503?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
DOI:10.1056/NEJM199608013350503
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