Immunotherapy in neonatal sepsis: advances in treatment and prophylaxis.
OBJECTIVE
Systemic infections in premature and term infants cause significant morbidity and mortality in spite of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Consequently, immunotherapy has emerged as a potential adjuvant therapeutic modality to reduce the incidence and mortality associated with neonatal sepsis.


RESULTS
The most recent findings during the review period include systematic reviews of previously published trials evaluating the use of intravenous immunoglobulin and colony-stimulating factors in neonatal sepsis. In addition, the most recent trials describing the use of antistaphylococcal antibodies, probiotics, glutamine supplementation, recombinant human protein C, and lactoferrin in the prevention and treatment of neonatal sepsis have been reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunotherapy used as an adjuvant for the prevention and treatment of neonatal sepsis holds promise. Clinical trials specifically designed toward the neonatal population and appropriately powered to detect treatment differences are necessary prior to universal recommendation of these therapies in the nursery.
Cohen-Wolkowiez
Michael
M
Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27715, USA.
Benjamin
Daniel K
DK
Capparelli
Edmund
E
D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005973:Glutamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011486:Protein C / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018805:Sepsis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011486:Protein C; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005973:Glutamine; D007781:Lactoferrin