Intravenous immune globulins. A review of their uses in selected immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases.

Intravenous immune globulin (IGIV) was introduced a decade ago as a therapy for primary immunodeficiency diseases. It proved to be a valuable therapeutic substance for this purpose and is now considered to be the treatment of choice. The intent was to supply ubiquitous anti-infectious agent antibodies through passive immunisation to replace deficient circulating antibody content.

Home-based immunoglobulin infusion therapy: quality of life and patient health perceptions.

Thirty-seven antibody-deficient patients who were participating in a multicenter trial evaluating home-based, self-administered IVIG therapy anonymously completed questionnaires regarding beliefs concerning health control, quality of life, and attitudes toward active participation in medical care. Their responses were compared with a group of 29 patients undergoing traditional IVIG therapy in a medical clinic setting. A subsample of the home-based group who later returned to clinic-based IVIG therapy allowed comparison of responses given by the same patients in both settings.

Prospective study on the hepatitis safety of intravenous immunoglobulin, pH 4.25.

Recent reports of transmission by intravenous gamma-globulin preparations of non-A non-B hepatitis (NANBH), including several cases that progressed to severe liver damage and death, have raised concerns about the safety of intravenous gamma-globulin. However, the problem does not seem to be widespread. To assess this issue, we previously reported the results of liver function tests monitored in 41 patients with primary immunodeficiency treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IGIV), pH 4.

Non-A non-B hepatitis and the safety of intravenous immune globulin, pH 4.2: a retrospective survey. Preliminary communication.

Evidence for transmission of non-A non-B hepatitis (NANB) was sought in 41 patients with primary immune deficiency who were receiving human intravenous immune globulin (IGIV) over periods ranging from 6 to 15 months at a monthly dosage of 400 mg/kg body weight. One lot of a reduced and alkylated IGIV and three lots of a nonmodified preparation stabilized at pH 4.2 were used.

Clinical use of a new pH 4.25 intravenous immunoglobulin preparation (gamimune-N).

A multicentre, randomised, double-blinded, cross-over study was done to evaluate the clinical use and safety of a new immunoglobulin preparation for intravenous use (IVIgG). This reagent, IVIgG pH 4.25, was compared to a standard commercially available preparation IVIgG pH 6.