Prevention and treatment of sepsis

Abstract

Compositions and methods are described for treatment of sepsis in animals, including humans. Unique and specific combinations of polyclonal antibodies directed to cytokines are shown to have a beneficial effect in animal models predictive of human therapy.

1 . A method of treatment, comprising:
 a) providing:
 i) a mammal, 
 ii) a therapeutic preparation, comprising anti-TNF and anti-IL-6 antibodies; and 
   b) administering said preparation to said mammal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering is performed intravenously. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering is performed orally. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering is performed parenterally. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said human has symptoms of sepsis. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said human is at risk for sepsis. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibodies are polyclonal antibodies. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said polyclonal antibodies are  avian  antibodies. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said  avian  antibodies are chicken antibodies. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said chicken antibodies are derived from chicken eggs. 
     
     
         12 . A method of treatment, comprising:
 a) providing:
 i) a mammal with symptoms of gram-positive sepsis, 
 ii) a therapeutic preparation, comprising polyclonal anti-TNF and anti-IL-6 antibodies; and 
   c) administering said preparation to said mammal under conditions wherein said symptoms are reduced.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said administering is performed intravenously. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said administering is performed orally. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said administering is performed parenterally. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said polyclonal antibodies are  avian  antibodies. 
     
     
         18 . A method of treatment, comprising:
 a) providing:
 i) a human with symptoms of gram-positive sepsis, 
 ii) a therapeutic preparation, comprising polyclonal anti-TNF and anti-IL-6 antibodies; and 
   d) administering said preparation to said human under conditions wherein said symptoms are reduced.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said polyclonal antibodies are  avian  antibodies. 
     
     
         20 . A therapeutic preparation suitable for administration to a human, comprising polyclonal anti-TNF and anti-IL-6 antibodies. 
     
     
         21 . The preparation of  claim 20 , wherein said antibodies are in equal amounts. 
     
     
         22 . The preparation of  claim 20 , wherein said polyclonal antibodies are  avian  antibodies.