Background: Anthrax-associated shock is closely linked to lethal toxin (LT) release and is highly lethal despite conventional hemodynamic support. We investigated whether protective antigen-directed monoclonal antibody (PA-mAb) treatment further augments titrated hemodynamic support.
Methods and results: Forty sedated, mechanically ventilated, instrumented canines challenged with anthrax LT were assigned to no treatment (controls), hemodynamic support alone (protocol-titrated fluids and norepinephrine), PA-mAb alone (administered at start of LT infusion [0 hours] or 9 or 12 hours later), or both, and observed for 96 hours. Although all 8 controls died, 2 of 8 animals receiving hemodynamic support alone survived (median survival times 65 vs 85 hours, respectively; P = .03). PA-mAb alone at 0 hour improved survival (5 of 5 animals survived), but efficacy decreased progressively with delayed treatment (9 hours, 2 of 3 survived; 12 hours, 0 of 4 survived) (P = .004 comparing survival across treatment times). However, combined treatment increased survival irrespective of PA-mAb administration time (0 hours, 4 of 5 animals; 9 hours, 3 of 3 animals; and 12 hours, 4 of 5 animals survived) (P = .95 comparing treatment times). Compared to hemodynamic support alone, when combined over PA-mAb treatment times (0, 9, and 12 hours), combination therapy produced higher survival (P = .008), central venous pressures, and left ventricular ejection fractions, and lower heart rates, norepinephrine requirements and fluid retention (P ≤ .03).
Conclusions: PA-mAb may augment conventional hemodynamic support during anthrax LT-associated shock.