BACKGROUND
Shock frequently complicates necrotizing fasciitis (NF) caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) or Staphylococcus aureus (SA). Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is sometimes administered for presumptive toxic shock syndrome (TSS), but its frequency of use and efficacy are unclear.
METHODS
Adult patients with NF and vasopressor-dependent shock undergoing surgical debridement from 2010 to 2014 were identified at 130 U.S. hospitals. IVIG cases were propensity-matched and risk-adjusted. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and the secondary outcome was median length-of-stay (LOS).
RESULTS
Of 4,127 cases of debrided NF with shock at 121 centers, only 164 patients (4%) at 61 centers received IVIG. IVIG subjects were younger with lower comorbidity indices, but higher illness severity. Clindamycin and vasopressor intensity were higher among IVIG cases, as was coding for TSS and GAS. In-hospital mortality did not differ between matched IVIG and non-IVIG groups (crude mortality 27·3% vs. 23·6%; adjusted OR 1·00 95% CI 0·55-1·83, p=0·99). Early IVIG (≤2 days) did not alter this effect (p=0·99). Among patients coded for TSS, GAS and/or SA, IVIG use was still unusual (59/868; or 6.8%) and lacked benefit (p=0·63). Median LOS was similar between IVIG and non-IVIG groups (26[13,49] vs. 26[11, 43]; p=0·84). Positive predictive values for identifying true NF and debridement among IVIG cases using our algorithms were 97% and 89%, respectively, based on chart review at 4 hospitals.
CONCLUSION
Adjunctive IVIG was administered infrequently in NF with shock and had no apparent impact on mortality or hospital LOS beyond that achieved with debridement and antibiotics.