Use of human gammaglobulin.

Human immune serum globulin (HISG) therapy is the mainstay of treatment for patients with antibody immunodeficiency. Treatment with ‘y-globulin allows many of these patients to remain symptomfree for prolonged periods. Three types of human immunoglobulin are available for therapeutic use: (1) regular HISG for intramuscular (IM) use, derived from a panel of normal donors, therefore containing a wide spectrum of antibodies; (2) modified immunoglobulin for intravenous (IV) use, derived from a similar donor pool with a similar spectrum of antibodies; and (3) special HISGs for IM injection for specific illnesses, derived from immunized or convalescing patients and have established antibody titers to certain microbial agents.’ Special HISGs available include rabies immunoglobulin, tetanus immunoglobulin, varicella-zoster immune globulin, and pertussis immunoglobulin. Hyperimmune animal serums are still available for certain illnesses, including rabies antiserum, tetanus antitoxin, and diphtheria toxin. They are used in special circumstances or when the human special HISG is unavailable.