Primary immunodeficiency disease (PIDD) is an inherited disorder characterized by an inadequate immune system. The most common type of PIDD is antibody deficiency. Patients with this disorder lack the ability to make functional immunoglobulin G (IgG) and require lifelong IgG replacement therapy to prevent serious bacterial infections. The current standard therapy for PIDD is intravenous immunog...

BACKGROUND We aimed to determine the effects of treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin on bacterial infections in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) after lung transplantation. METHODS We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled two-period crossover trial of immune globulin intravenous (IVIG), 10% Purified (Gamunex, Bayer, Elkhart, IN) monthly in eleven adults who ha...

Although the mechanism of action of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in treating antibody-dependent thrombocytopenia remains unclear, most studies have suggested that IVIg blocks the function of Fc receptors in the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and/or the protective effect may be due to the presence of variable region-reactive (anti-idiotype) antibodies within IVIg. We evaluated the effect ...

Antibody deficiency is the most frequently encountered primary immunodeficiency disease (PIDD) and patients who lack the ability to make functional immunoglobulin require life-long replacement therapy to prevent serious bacterial infections. Human serum immunoglobulin manufactured from pools of donated plasma can be administered intramuscularly, intravenously or subcutaneously. With the advent ...

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment was introduced as replacement therapy for patients with antibody deficiencies, but evidence suggests that a wide range of immune-mediated conditions could benefit from IVIg. The immunoglobulins are precipitated from human plasma by fractionation methods. In conclusion, the differences in basic fractionation methods and the addition of various modifica...

We report an 82-year-old lady who developed sudden onset nodular and erythematous lesions and neutrophilia following an episode of urinary tract infection. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Sweet syndrome. Response to the use of prednisolone alone was not satisfactory. The skin lesions however showed a sustained response to the regular use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and prednisol...

It has been suggested that the use of etanercept for treatment Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) might provide improved mortality benefit decreased skin healing times. This retrospective study compared single-dose subcutaneous to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) supportive care alone. Thirteen patients were treated with a single dose (50 mg) etanercept. Result...

Asymmetrical, simultaneous multiple cranial nerve palsies and mild signs of peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients may cause difficulties in diagnosis as they are relatively rare. A case of a 55-year-old diabetic woman who developed simultaneous right VII and left III, IV, VI cranial nerve palsies with spared pupils is presented here. We also discuss the role of intravenous immunoglobulin (...

Nemaline rod myopathy is a rare disease associated with muscle weakness and the presence of rod-shaped structures in the muscle fibers. Various acquired conditions have been associated with slow progressing presentations during adulthood. Several cases have been diagnosed in adults with HIV infection. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has not been previously described for the treatme...

The effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment was studied in five patients with lower motor neuron disease associated with highly raised anti-GM1 antibodies but without evidence of conduction block on neurophysiological examination. The patients received IVIg treatment (0.4 g/kg for five consecutive days) in an open study. Only one patient responded to IVIg treatment, which was conf...