ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 14, 1991                   TAG: 9102140248
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: BOSTON                                LENGTH: Short

STUDY FINDS ANTIBODY CUTS INFECTION DEATHS

A tailor-made antibody can significantly reduce the risk of death from severe blood poisoning and shock caused by bacterial infection, a condition that kills at least 30,000 Americans annually, according to a study.

The research found that while the experimental treatment saves lives in this medical emergency, it is far from foolproof. Even with the therapy, nearly one-third of the patients died.

The new approach is intended to control a form of blood poisoning called Gram-negative bacteremia. The disease occurs when ordinarily harmless bacteria invade the bloodstream, often when people are already weak from other health problems, and causes life-threatening complications, including low blood pressure, fever and kidney failure.

- Associated Press 


 by CNB