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Despite major advances in intensive care, the mortality rate for patients with severe sepsis remains approximately 30%. High plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels derived from gram-negative bacteria in the gut appear to contribute to this syndrome through myeloid-cell activation. Eritoran — a synthetic compound that binds to the myeloid-cell MD2-TLR4 LPS receptor and effectively blocks LPS activation in vitro — showed apparent benefit against sepsis in a phase II clinical study. Now, investigators report the results of a manufacturer-sponsored phase III, multinational, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy of a 6-day intravenous eritoran regimen for adults with early severe sepsis or septic shock and high risk for death.
Of the 19…