title: Directed immune globulin for the prevention or treatment of neonatal group B streptococcal infections: a review.
abstract: Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) is now used in many nurseries to prevent or treat neonatal infections. The most common cause of early-onset neonatal sepsis is the group B streptococcus (GBS). Commercially available IVIG preparations have variable levels of specific antibody directed against GBS. Therefore, to ensure high levels of anti-GBS antibody, we developed a polyvalent IVIG directed against GBS (GBS-IVIG) by immunizing plasma donors. This GBS-IVIG was superior to standard IVIG both in vitro using opsonic studies and in vivo using a lethal suckling rat model of GBS sepsis. GBS-IVIG also protected neonatal rhesus monkeys in a GBS sepsis model. Safety and pharmacokinetic studies have been completed in 20 neonates with suspected sepsis. Fifteen infants were randomized to receive 500, 250, or 100 mg/kg of GBS-IVIG and were compared with 5 infants given 500 mg/kg of standard IVIG. No adverse effects of standard IVIG or GBS-IVIG were observed. While total serum IgG and IgG subclasses reflected the dose administered, the specific GBS antibody reflected both the dose and IVIG preparation utilized. At 500 mg/kg, the GBS-specific antibody rises more than fourfold above baseline in all babies that were observed for greater than 42 days postinfusion, while standard IVIG provided a fourfold rise in less than 20% of babies for less than 1 day. These studies suggest that GBS-IVIG can effectively and reliably elevate GBS-specific antibody levels in neonates. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of GBS-IVIG in preventing or treating neonatal GBS infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Weisman
authors.forename: V G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Hemming
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D051381:Rats; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous