Doctors are testing new therapy for EHEC infection

Doctors at the Hamburg University Hospital Eppendorf are testing infusion therapy for EHEC infections

29/05/2011

Doctors at the Hamburg University Hospital Eppendorf report on a new therapeutic approach against the sequelae of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection (EHEC). The new medication could successfully stop dangerous complications of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). By Saturday, according to the health authorities, ten people were reported to have died of the bacterial infection. More deaths are expected in the next few days and weeks.

Antibodies to EHEC complication
The number of deaths increased to ten people over the weekend. All those affected had been infected with the EHEC germ and had died from the episode of HUS syndrome. According to authorities, about 1000 patients were possibly or already confirmed with the EHEC bacterial infection registered throughout Germany. In the Hamburg University Hospital Eppendorf (UKE), the doctors now rely on a new drug to stabilize the condition of those affected. Since Friday, the most severe cases of patients with central nervous system disorders have received an antibody. The senior physician and renowned kidney specialist Prof. Dr. med. Rolf Stahl relies in the UKE on the special antibody with the name „eculizumab“. Whether the therapeutic approach will actually be successful can not be predicted at present. "Only in a few weeks will we know how successful this therapy will be“, emphasized the medical director of the clinic, Stahl. The preparation is intended to stop the neurological changes and severe kidney damage. The glimmer of hope: Already last year, the drug was used successfully in three children. According to hospital information, since Friday evening, six adults with „eculizumab“ treated.

Significant improvement of the disease symptoms hoped
The drug has been approved in Germany since 2007 and is usually given as an infusion. The active substance eculizumab is a monoclonal antibody and is used to treat rare blood disorders and the congenital HUS variant. Eculizumab works by binding to the complement C5 protein and blocking the terminal activation. This process reduces the erythrocyte destruction and significantly improves disease symptoms. The most common side effects of the remedy are headache, sore throat, nausea, fever, muscle aches and tiredness.

Three children successfully treated
The Hamburg physicians justify the treatment approach based on a report by researchers from Heidelberg, Montreal and Paris, in the Science Magazine „New England Journal of Medicine“ describe how they successfully treated three children with these antibodies in the past year. All infants suffered from HUS syndrome after an acquired EHEC infection. A repeated blood plasma exchange previously had no effect. „Then we decided to eculizumab therapy“, said Dr. Franz Schaefer, Head of the Department of Pediatric Nephrology at the Center for Pediatric and Youth Medicine of the University Hospital Heidelberg. Schaefer is a physician involved in the research report. Only 24 hours after the start of the first infusion, the children's health improved markedly. Significant reduction of EHEC symptoms was observed after only a short time. The infusions were repeated at intervals of seven days to a maximum of twice. Dialysis could be stopped after seven days.

Due to the dramatic events of recent weeks, the scientists decided to pre-release in the medical journal. The infusion therapy could be a treatment approach against the destructive immune reactions of HUS syndrome. It remains unclear whether the antibody therapy is also effective in adults. „That will only turn out in a few weeks“, said the chief medical officer. (Sb)

Also read:
EHEC: No raw fruits and vegetables for pregnant women
EHEC Causes: The pathogen on the trail
Symptoms of EHEC infection
First deaths from EHEC infections
No antibiotic in EHEC
Enigmatic infections caused by EHEC pathogens

Image: Dieter Schütz