A 45-year-old woman on ICU is being treated for severe necrotising soft tissue infection of her left thigh. She has had three surgical debridements in...

Question

A 45-year-old woman on ICU is being treated for severe necrotising soft tissue infection of her left thigh. She has had three surgical debridements in 5 days. The tissue culture grows Group A Streptococcus. She is on IV benzylpenicillin and IV clindamycin. The team considers adjunctive IV immunoglobulin (IVIg). What is the rationale?

Accepted Answer

IVIg neutralises streptococcal superantigens (SPE-A, SPE-B, SPE-C) that drive the toxic shock response, potentially reducing organ dysfunction and mortality in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome

Answer

IVIg provides passive immunity against future infections

Answer

IVIg replaces the patient's immunoglobulins lost through surgical wound drainage

Answer

IVIg is a direct antibiotic

Answer

IVIg has no role in necrotising fasciitis

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): IVIg in Streptococcal TSS