High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin in the management of immune hemolysis in patients with thalassemic disease: factors which determine refractoriness.
We report our experience with high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in 3 thalassemic patients who had evidence of possible immune hemolysis. In 2 patients who had serious sepsis, their responses to IVIg were only partial and transient. The other patient who had marked splenomegaly had no evidence of response to IVIg. Both serious infections and large spleen may hamper the effect of IVIg and should be considered before IVIg is to be used in thalassemia.
Wanachiwanawin
W
W
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Pootrakul
P
P
Fucharoen
S
S
Piankijagum
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous