Dictionary of Allergies .. Agammaglobulinemia and IV gammaglobulin

Agammaglobulinemia and IV gammaglobulin

Agammaglobulinemia or severe hypogammaglobulinemia with IgG serum levels less than 100mg/dL, in 23 children aged 6 to 15 years was treated with IV gamma globulin (Sandoglobulin), 150 to 300mg/kg/3wk for more than 3 years. The children suffered from severe and recurrent bacterial infections, mainly of the respiratory tract.

They had been treated previously with IM gamma globulin (0,8ml/kg/3WK), but their serum IgG values were never higher than 100 mg/dL. Comparing the data of the follow-up after 3 years of treatment with IV gamma globulin and the follow-up after 2 years course of IM gamma globulin were observed minor adverse reactions (chills, fever, abdominal pain) only in some children during the first months of therapy. These data demonstrate that the number of infections or days with fever, in bed, or in hospital dramatically decreased during IV IgG therapy, while IgG serum levels increased to approximately normal values. IV IgG is a safe and effective treatment for patients with humoral immunodeficiency.

References

Galli, E.: Treatment with gamma globulin preparation for intravenous use in children with humoral immunodeficiency: clinical and immunological follow-up. Ann. Allergy (1990) 64, No. 2, p. 147.